But the Mohawk Valley pitching trio of Tyler Ksiazek (six-plus innings), Johann Doerrer (two innings) and Zach Vennaro (one inning) found a way to slow the red-hot Jammers down, combining to toss a five-hit shutout en route to leading the DiamondDawgs to a tightly contested 2-0 win in front of a crowd of 640.

Jamestown’s offense, which has been one of the top lineups in the PGCBL early in the season, just struggled to get anything going against the stingy Mohawk Valley pitching staff.

“It was a weird game,” Jammers head coach Anthony Barone said. “We never really got any momentum going. …They had a really good (starting) pitcher, he had a really good rhythm going. And, you know, our guys weren’t striking out really, we were hitting balls at people and we never got our game going, which includes walking and bunting and doing those things. It was just a pretty bland offensive game from us, but it was a good baseball game.”

Saturday night’s game was also interesting due to the fact that Mohawk Valley is a member of the East Division in the PGCBL while the Jammers are a member of the West Division. The two teams will only meet one other time this summer.

Jammers’ first baseman Ben Brookover has a pickoff throw skip past him. P-J photos by Matt Spielman

“The other side of the league is very pitching heavy,” Barone stressed. “Very low-scoring. And it’s tough when you play a certain way all year and then you go play a team from the other side, you’ve sort of got to prepare for that. But they do, too. So I mean it works both ways. I tip my hat to Mohawk Valley. They have a really nice team and they’re well-coached. It was just a good baseball game tonight.”

The DiamondDawgs plated both of their runs in the top of the third against Jamestown starter Bradley Griggs (UTSA).

Russ Olive smoked a one-out triple into the right-center field gap and scored on a single from Austin Pollock to put Mohawk Valley on the board. Later in the frame, Clay Koniencki ripped a run-scoring single to score Pollack and give the visitors a 2-0 advantage that would hold up for the remainder of the contest.

Griggs settled down and ended up hurling six innings on the hill. He gave up seven hits and was charged with the two runs, but he struck out two as well. Isaac Meza (CSU Bakersfield) relieved Griggs and fired two scoreless innings and Connor Ryan (Mercyhurst University) tossed a scoreless ninth in defeat.

“Griggs really battled,” Barone explained. “He didn’t have his best stuff tonight, but he battled and got through some jams and got himself out of some jams. And, you know, the bullpen did a really nice job with Meza and Ryan. Just two runs, you should be able to win a game with that.”

Skyler Valentine (UTSA) had two hits, including a double, for the Jammers. Chris Estrada (UTSA), Ben Brookover (UTSA) and Jimmy Standohar (Mercyhurst University) added one hit apiece.

Jamestown will look to bounce back today with another home matchup against the Elmira Pioneers. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m.

“(Today) is a big one,” Barone emphasized. “When you’re home for two (games), you want to try to at least salvage the homestand. Elmira is a talented team, just as talented as anyone else in this league. …We’ve got to come and (be) ready to score some runs (today).”

Barone was also quick to compliment the Saturday night’s crowd at Diethrick Park. The attendance of 640 was one of the team’s largest of the season.

“It was great,” he stated. “When you have a crowd like that, it’s just such a great atmosphere here at Diethrick Park. We’re just really thankful that we can have baseball here in this community. When you do see fans out here enjoying themselves and kids enjoying themselves, that’s what it’s all about.”