Saturday, May 7, 2016 by Aidan Joly
Saratoga’s 21 runs on offense proved to be more than enough to take a win.
The Saratoga Blue Streaks defeated the Schenectady Patriots on Thursday night at East Side Recreation Park by a blowout score of 21-4.
Saratoga had already held a 7-1 lead heading into the fourth inning, but they would add on 10 more runs in the fourth to make the lead an insurmountable 17-1. In that inning, Saratoga sent up 14 batters and had four extra base hits: a triple from Brendon Frank, a double and a triple from Brian Hart and a double from Nick Kondo.
“I was impressed that as we continued to score more runs, we stayed in at-bats. We were hitting pitches that we should hit; weren’t trying to hit home runs, just staying simple,” Saratoga head coach Andy Cuthbertson said.
Brendon Frank led the way on offense for Saratoga, going 4-6 with three runs scored, and came a home run shy of hitting for the cycle.
Nick Kondo also had a huge day at the plate, going 4-5 with three runs scored. He also drew a walk in the game.
Danny Coleman added on a 3-4 performance Thursday night. He also walked and reached on an error.
Corey MacArthur got the start for the second time this season, and was dominant. He went six innings, gave up one run on seven hits, walked one and struck out three.
“I was feeling pretty good; I was around the zone; I had to make a couple adjustments here and there; pitches were working and I hit most of my spots,” MacArthur said.
One key test for MacArthur came in the top of the fourth inning, before the 10-run inning, when Schenectady had loaded the bases with two outs, and Damir Parson was up to hit. MacArthur would strike him out on three pitches to end the inning.
“A couple hits here and there, but you have to fight back,” MacArthur said.
Head coach Andy Cuthbertson agreed.
“Putting him in a different role, he responded well to it, and he threw strikes for us,” Cuthbertson said.
The game was delayed 45 minutes at the start due to issues with the Schenectady bus. The game was scheduled to start at 4:15 p.m., but didn’t start until 5 p.m.
Schenectady falls to 2-11 with the loss.
With the win, Saratoga improves to 8-5 in the Suburban Council, and 8-7 overall. With their 8-5 league record, they have clinched a spot in the sectional playoffs in two weeks. It is not known as of yet what date, opponent or location their first playoff game will be.
Saratoga will be back in action on Friday, May 6th, taking on CBA as the visitor. They will return home on Friday, May 13th, taking on Shenendehowa at East Side Rec. That game will begin at 4:15 p.m.