Pomona, NY—The Empire State Greys (16-64) have defeated the New York Boulders (44-34) 4-2 in a continuation of August 16th’s matchup. This was due to a fantastic effort by the pitching staff as well as Jaylin Turner’s late-inning theatrics.
In the Wednesday portion of the matchup, it was all Boulders. Christ Kwitzer, former Empire League standout, delivered the first runs of the game with a two-run home run in the bottom of the 2nd. That was the only blemish on an otherwise promising start by Michael Barker. Barker struck out two and allowed just the one hit in his three innings of work prior to having it cut short due to rain.
Contrasting the three innings of play on Wednesday, the Thursday portion was all Greys in large part due to the pitching staff. Taking over to pitch in the 4th, Mizuki Akatsukawas in full control. During his 3.1 innings of work, the switch-pitcher did not allow a run and struck out a batter.
Walner Espinal got the Empire State offense on track in the 6th. The recently acquired second baseman hit a deep fly ball to center field and brought in Luis Atiles to cut the deficit to 2-1.
In the 8th, the Jayle(i)n’s turned the game on its head. Jaylen Smith started off an entertaining sequence by dropping down a sacrifice bunt. The play was made routinely at first, but a hustling Atiles attempted to go from first to third on the play. Atiles’ heads-up baserunning caused an errant throw from the first baseman which ultimately allowed him to score from first on a bunt to third base and tie the game. Later in the frame, Jaylin Turner delivered the biggest hit of the night. With two outs, and two on, Turner smoked a 2 RBI double into right-center field. In doing so, the slugging first baseman broke the tie and gave Empire State a 4-2 lead.
Flamethrower Juan Mateo was incredible and did not squander the lead his team gave him. The righty entered the game in the 7th with one out and finished off the game. He allowed just one hit in his 2.2 innings of work and struck out three to secure the Greys’ 4-2 victory.
Following today’s doubleheader, the Greys will be traveling to New Jersey and squaring off against the East Division-leading Jackals. Game 1 of that series begins tomorrow night at 6:35 EST in historic Hinchcliffe Stadium.
