The only thing better than the weather at DeLutis Field on Thursday evening was the game being played out on the diamond between Utica Post (20-10) and Ilion(17-8). In the end, the Ilion squad survived a spirited Utica rally and held on for the 6-5 win.
The MHTS Instant Classic could have been the pivotal game played in the 2010 District 5 Tournament.
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The stakes were high, as the well coached, disciplined, Herkimer County Champs went at it against the big boys from the Blue Division, from Oneida County, Utica Post 229.
The stakes were high, because the winners bracket is part of the neighborhood you need to reside in to have a realistic shot at a trip to the New York State Tourney. Ilion has a closet full of Herkimer County titles, but would love to pick up its first District 5 title and the ticket it provides to states.
(Ilion Post starter Jamie Barr (11) rocks and fires a fourth inning strike.)
And finally, the stakes were high because as you know, the third time is not always "the charm" in sports. In two non-league tilts Ilion beat Utica Post both times.
Momentum would definitely find itself in the back pockets of the team that would win this one.
The speedy Dylan Todd wasted no time getting things started for Ilion with a one out single and a steal to move into scoring position. One out later, Jamie Barr's RBI triple to right centerfield put Ilion out to a 1-0 lead.
It was a lead that Barr, an HCCC General, and the rest of the Ilion pitching staff would not relinquish. Barr picked up the win and improved to 4-2 on the season.
Ilion would pad their lead in the bottom of the third inning when big Dylan Hassett sent a three run bomb over the left field wall that still hasn't landed.
Ryan Alesandro, Utica's starting hurler, proved to be a gamer however and effectively used his curveball to contain the potent Ilion offense for much of the contest.
His efficient pitching kept his team within striking distance until the eventful fifth inning. In Utica's first at bat in the top of the fifth inning, Mike King got the rally started with a lead-off single.
Alesandro deserved a better fate on this night, but was saddled with the tough luck loss.
(Ilion's Dillon Hassett (10) watches his towering homerun sail over the left field wall as Utica Post 229 catcher Mike Obernesser looks on.)
One out later, Ryan Donovan doubled to deep right field, moving King to third. With the dangerous Vin Gaetano coming to the plate, Ilion manager Eric Moreau headed to the mound to calm down his pitcher, whose body language was beginning to deteriorate.
Gaetano, who was walked in his first two at-bats, would make Barr pay for not walking him this time when he laced a double to deep left field, scoring King and Donovan.
Utica was not finished yet and after advancing to third on a wild pitch, Gaetano was brought home by a sacrifice ground out from catcher Mike Obernesser. Ilion would escape the inning with a narrow one run margin but with the momentum clearly residing in the Utica dugout.
Effective pitching on both sides kept the game 4-3 until the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs, when a wild play would shift the momentum back to Ilion.
With runners on first and secon, Dan Crim, who had several nifty grabs at first base, ended up on third on what should have been a routine ground out. Jamie Barr came around to score in a close play at home plate and after a wild throw to third by Obernesser, Hassett stepped on the dish to put Ilion up 6-3.
(Ilion Post 1st Baseman Dan Crim (13) extends for a throw from shortstop as Utica Post's Mike Scotellaro (24) leaps for the bag. Scotellaro was out on the play.)
However, Greg Gaeta's spunky squad would respond once again. Backed by a vocal cheering contingent, Mike Scotellaro became the first Utica batter to solve Ilion pitcher Joe Gantz by singling to right field. (Gantz retired the previous five Utica batters after coming on in relief of Barr, who pitched six solid innings.)
In a gutsy call by the UP coaching staff, Scotellaro advanced to second on a narrow steal with two outs. The bold move would pay off when Scotellaro advanced to third on a passed ball and capped off his trip with a stop at home plate after a wild pitch by Gantz.
This narrowed Ilion's lead to two runs but despite Utica's threats to close the gap further, Gantz escaped the inning without surrendering any more runs and leaving two Utica runners stranded.
Alessandro would continue to do his job on the mound for Utica and the score remained 6-4 headed into the top of the ninth inning. On the night Alessandro yielded 11 hits and struck out 7.
With their backs against the wall, Utica Post showed the grit that powered them to a 17-1 league record. Gaetano gave the Utica fans hope with a lead off single, advancing to second after a high throw at first.
(Ilion's Dylan Todd (4) slides into second base on a third inning steal attempt as Utica Post's Gary McConnell (2) awaits the throw from home.)
Gaetano then moved to third as Obernesser was gunned out at first and Utica's life was reduced two outs. Gary McConnell brought the fans at DeLutis to their feet when he ripped a shot to deep center field, bringing in Gaetano and earning himself a triple.
Down one run, with a runner on third and only one out, things got real wild. With Justin Hall at bat, his first attempt at a squeeze bunt went just foul. A few pitches later, McConnell appeared to get caught in a pickle and was very nearly picked off at third.
Eventually, Hall laid down a well-executed suicide squeeze bunt that was fielded even better by John LeClair, who was brought in to close the game, catching McConnell at home for the second out.
On the pitch before, Hall had caught Ilion off guard with another squeeze that looked perfect, as McConnell sped home with what appeared to be the game tying run.
The roar that game from the UP contingent was all for naught as the home plate ump had ruled the bunt to be a foul ball. Oh so close, but yet so far away.
LeClair then forced Utica's Mike Lackey to pop-out to third, ending the game and the hundred or so fans gathered at DeLutis field finally exhaled, some in relief, some in disappointment, but united in admiration of the event just played out. What a start to this district tournament!
With the exhausting win, Ilion improves to 3-0 versus Utica Post this season, although Thursday night's barnburner was by far the most meaningful meeting between the two sides.
(Ilion's Dillon Hassett (10) is met by teammates Jamie Barr (11) and John LeClair (8) following his three run homer.)
At 2-0 Ilion will next face 2-0 Whitestown Post in the Friday night Marquee matchup at 7:00 PM. Utica Post must get back on track when they play Oneida County rival New Hartford at 3:00 PM in an elimination game.
Folks, if you like great baseball, don't miss Friday's tripleheader in Rome, as Smith Post starts the day with a matchup against Moran Meeker-O'Rourke at noon, as both teams try to stay alive. See you there.
Ilion Post 920 (6) Utica Post 229 (5)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Utica Post 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 1 5 6 1
Ilion 1 0 3 1 2 3 2 0 X 6 11 3
Offensive Stars:
Utica Post:
Vin Gaetano-1 double-2RBI-2 runs scored
Ryan Donovan-1 single-1 double-1 run scored
Justin Hall-1 triple-1 RBI
Matt Scotellaro-1 single- 2 runs scored
Mike Obernesser-1 RBI
Ilion Post:
Dillion Hassett- 1 homerun- 3 RBI-2 runs scored
Jamie Barr-1 single-1 double-1 triple-1 run scored
Dan Crim- 1 single- 1 RBI
Dylan Todd-2 singles- 2 runs scored
John LeClair- 2 singles-1 run scored
