Generals win the four game series against Monroe

Herkimer, NY-- Herkimer hosted Monroe in a doubleheader to finish the four game series this afternoon.  The Generals had split with Monroe in their previous doubleheader winning game one 9-7 in a back and forth battle that went into extras.  The Generals fell in game two 4-3, giving up one run to clinch it for Monroe after being tied going into the sixth.  Today's story writes much differently as the Generals utilized the ten run mercy rule in both games 12-1 & 12-2 in five innings.

Game one of the series Herkimer fought from behind for the majority of the game.  The Generals trailed early on as Monroe was able to take the early two nothing lead in the first.  Jordan Zeppieri (Norwich, CT) was the third inning catalyst for the Generals earning the walk, advancing to third on the double by Justin Emond, and scoring the first Herkimer run on an error by Monroe.  Emond scored the second Herkimer run to tie things up, also on an error by Monroe.

Momentum seemed to be in favor of Herkimer but Monroe was able to recapture it in their next at bats scoring another two runs to take the lead 4-2.  Herkimer gave up another run in the fourth to extend the deficit 5-2.  The Generals mustered up a rally in the fifth scoring two to close the gap 5-4 but Monroe again answered back with one run to make it 6-4.  One of Herkimer's two runs that inning was produced by Bobby Lazar (Fairfield, CT) who hit a solo home run as the second batter of the inning.

The Generals rallied at just the right time scoring three in the seventh to go ahead, and two to win it in the eighth after Monroe tied it back up.  Top of the order in the seventh for the Generals Christian Aybar (Pawtucket, RI) singles to left field.  Lazar just missed his second home run of the game as he flew out to left field at the fence.  Batting third was Jake Terrill (Bayport, NY) who had the hot stick at the best moment roping a triple over the right fielder's head which scored Aybar shortening Monroe's lead to one run.  Next up Leon Babcock (Bloomfield, CT) hits another Herkimer triple down the right field line allowing Terrill to trot in and lines up the go-ahead run just 90 feet away.   Herkimer had a triple hat trick as next up Patrick Troy (Red Hook, NY) hits another Herkimer triple to score Babcock for the go-ahead.  This would be the end of the seventh inning rally for Herkimer.  

After Monroe ties in up in the bottom of the seventh Herkimer again was able to rally with back to back solo home runs from Aybar and Lazar to win it 9-7.

Photo: Christian Aybar

Game 2 of the series Monroe was able to just outshine Herkimer scoring a steady one run in the second, third, fifth, and sixth inning.  It was just enough to outlast the Generals offense who was not able to produce in the big situation.  Herkimer with six hits, only of which was extra bases; a double from Aybar.  The Generals left seven on base.  Monroe was able to get the timely hits scratching away at the scoreboard little by little to leave the afternoon ahead 4-3 in game two.

The four game series finished this afternoon at Herkimer where the Generals obviously felt more comfortable at home.  Herkimer utilized the 10-run mercy rule which states, the game finishes if a team leads by at least ten runs after five innings, for both games.  Game three of the series had Herkimer right fielder and Mahopac, NY native Joe Fichera's name written all over it.  

Fichera went 2-4 with five RBIs including a bases loaded triple to right field in the second inning.  The Generals kept the offense alive throughout the game earning 13 hits four of which were for extra bases.  Herkimer landed on top 12-1 in this game one of the doubleheader.  On the mound for Herkimer was sophomore Greg Musk (Rotterdam Jct., NY) who pitched three innings, with three Ks, one walk and earned the win.  Coming into relieve Musk was was Ryan Flansburg (Queensbury, NY) who pitched two innings and struck out two.

The final game of the series played very similarly to the previous.  A very productive first inning left Herkimer in a comfortable position throughout all five inings.  The Generals ran in eight runs nearly batting through the entire lineup before a single out was recorded.  The inning began with a triple from Aybar in the lead-off spot.  Four singles and three walks later Herkimer was up 8-2 after the first inning.  In the second inning Babcock and Zeppieri each walked and then scored on a double from Mike Minicozzi (Rome, NY).  Minicozzi then scored on the next single from Justin Emond.  The Monroe pitcher shaken Emond advanced to third on a wild pitch and then scored on a passed ball tallying the second inning rally to our runs.  That would be the the end of offensive production from both sides as Herkimer finished on top 12-2 in the final game of the series.  Pitcher Colin Shunk earned the win for Herkimer pitching three innings with two strikeouts and no walks.  Coming in to relieve Shunk was sophomore Chris Henry who finished the last two innings striking out four and walking none.

The Generals will travel to Schenectady this Thursday May 11th for their final regular season doubleheader beginning at 2PM.