Generals split with Jefferson

Herkimer, NY – The #1- and #2-ranked teams in Region 3's Eastern Division met on the Herkimer hilltop on Tuesday. The #1 Generals held a two-game lead on the #2 Cannoneers of SUNY Jefferson going into the Tuesday action.

Jefferson sent their big right-hander Jake Welsh to the mound in Game One, and the ace won the game 6-3, backed by some timely hits and solid defensive play. Herkimer held a 1-0 lead through three innings, after Carlos Almonte scored on a passed ball in the first inning.

Photo: Shortstop Brent Baker and left fielder Chris Burns defending – Burns' double in Game Two led to the Generals' winning run

Jefferson got a key two-out base hit by Nicolas Espino in the fourth inning to plate two runs. Herkimer starter Nick Burch lost the strike zone in the fifth inning, walking the first three batters. Burch was relieved by Joey Larson, but all three runners came around to score, opening the lead to 5-1. Herkimer squeezed in a run in the sixth, but Jefferson took the run back in the top of the seventh and held on to win 6-3.

Herkimer's tall right-hander Joe Kuzia took the ball in Game Two to try to regain the team's two-game lead in the Eastern Division standings. Kuzia responded with a complete-game performance, throwing seven innings, allowing just three walks and four hits, while striking out nine Jefferson hitters.

Photo: Joe Kuzia in action earlier in the season

Herkimer won Game Two 1-0. The Generals scored in the bottom of the seventh inning after Chris Burns doubled to start things. Burns was lifted for pinch runner Carlos Almonte, and Almonte scored on Cody Newbigging's walkoff base hit.

With the split, Herkimer moves to 20-11 overall and 19-3 in the region. The Generals still hold a two-game lead on Jefferson, where they will travel to finish the four-game series on Thursday in the former pro baseball park at the Alex Duffy Fairgrounds in Watertown.