Valerio, Giansanti Top Mohawks in Thrilling Game 1 Comeback

Jose Valerio's (San Diego) two-run single capped a four-run eighth inning for the Golden Eagles as they handed a fresh one-run lead to new closer Anthony Giansanti (Siena). As he has been in nearly every appearance this season, Giansanti was lights out; allowing a one-out double before striking out the final two Amsterdam batters swinging (his third strikeout of the inning).

Valerio was one of four Glens Falls players with multi-hit games. Valerio and Jonathan White (Vanderbilt) each had two hits, while Luis Feliz (Rutgers) went 3-for-3 and Scott Lawson (Miami) finished 4-for-5. Valerio contributed three runs batted in, while Lawson and Chad Stang (Midland) added one apiece.

Golden Eagles starter Scott Denault (San Diego) tossed six innings and allowed only three runs, but failed to get run support and left the game down 3-0. Ricky Anaya (Florida Atlantic) allowed one run in two innings of relief and was rewarded the win after Glens Falls scored five runs between the seventh and eighth innings. Giansanti pitched the ninth for his first save of the postseason.

Game 2 of the Eastern Division Finals is set for tomorrow night at 7PM at Shuttleworth Park in Amsterdam. The Mohawks will look to defend their 3-1 home record against Glens Falls.

Game Notes:

- In each of the first five innings, the Golden Eagles stranded a runner on third base to end the inning. The inability to drive in runs is a concern against an offensively-blessed team such as Amsterdam. While the pitching is still mostly solid, the Golden Eagles offense is going to have to pick up the slack after the departure of two of their offensive leaders.

- The Game 1 win can be attributed, in large part, to clutch hitting. While Glens Falls had numerous baserunners in the first six innings, they were all left stranded, most of them a mere 90 feet from joining the fun on the scoreboard. In the later innings, the Golden Eagles bats came alive and finished the game 6-for-13 from the plate with two outs. Compared to the Tribe's 1-for-9 performance with two gone, the yellow birds were unstoppable.