MECHANICVILLE — The Mechanicville baseball team is proving that success breeds success, especially when it comes to hitting.
Just a month into the regular season, the team is on a scoring spree that shows no signs of slowing down.
With an impressive 10-0 start, Mechanicville has racked up more than 10 runs in six of these games. The team has even surpassed the 20-run mark on three occasions, averaging an impressive 14.3 runs per game.
“Every player, from the first to the ninth, is contributing,” said Mechanicville’s Will Coreno. “This is the most well-rounded lineup we’ve had since I joined the team. We’re playing great baseball, and we plan to keep the momentum going.”
While the team’s explosive batting is certainly noteworthy, their ability to clinch close games has also been a standout feature of their early season performance.
In their season opener on April 1, Mechanicville triumphed over Saratoga Springs, a Class AAA team, with a 3-2 win in eight innings. They also narrowly defeated Hoosick Falls 4-3 on April 17, and clinched a 17-16 victory over Mohonasen on a walk-off on April 20.
“It’s been a blast,” Chris Couser said of the team’s start to the season. “We’ve been playing together since we were kids, so it’s especially fun to be performing so well as a team.”
“We’re all stepping up to the plate every single day,” Coreno added. “It’s exciting to see everyone getting hits and scoring so many runs.”
During a Wasaren League game on Tuesday at Waterford-Halfmoon, Coreno had a memorable performance. In addition to collecting five hits in a 22-5 win, the center fielder hit for the cycle.
“It was my first time hitting a cycle, but the team’s been playing so well that their energy just rubs off on me when I’m at the plate,” Coreno said.
On Thursday in a 13-6 win over Waterford-Halfmoon, Coreno added two more hits, including another triple. Scotty Lynch also contributed a home run and double, while Couser went 4 for 4 with two RBIs.
“Seeing someone else get a hit motivates you to do the same,” Couser said. “Our lineup is solid from one to nine, and even our bench players step up when we need them.”
Mechanicville will next test its 10-0 record against Greenwich on Saturday at 7 p.m.
I-87 CUP REMATCH
This could potentially be the most significant game of the regular season in the Suburban Council.
Shenendehowa will host Saratoga Springs on Friday in a rematch of the Section 2 Class AA championship series.
Last May, after the Blue Streaks won the first game of the series, the Plainsmen won two straight to secure the Section 2 title.
This season, both schools have moved up to the AAA classification, but the rivalry remains as intense as ever.
Saratoga Springs is aiming to reclaim the I-87 Cup, a glove-shaped trophy that the winning team takes home after every game between the two programs.
The Blue Streaks will likely rely on senior ace Michael Mack, a Northeastern commit who has not yet pitched this week.
Shenendehowa’s senior ace, James Redick, will be eligible to pitch. However, the Fordham commit threw 106 pitches on Monday, striking out 13 over seven innings against CBA. If he starts on Friday, it will be on the minimum four nights’ rest.
Agree – That’s impressive, their hard work is paying off!