Powerful OHS’ Record 13-1 Going Into Baseball Playoffs

By ERIC AHLQVIST
Sports Editor

Eric Ahlqvist/HOMETOWN ONEONTA
OHS’ Mike Giallanzo slides safely into third base during the Monday, May 9, win over Chenango Valley.

Oneonta baseball coach Joe Hughes repeats the mantra about 50 times a game.
“Pitching and defense, boys, pitching and defense.”
The Yellowjackets used just that to secure not only their 12th win in a row, but also a share of first place in the STAC’s East Division, with a 3-2 victory at previously undefeated Chenango Valley Monday evening, May 9.
“That’s what has been carrying us all year,” said Hughes. “We can hit a little bit too, but our pitching and defense has been the key.”
OHS (13-1 overall) has done without 6-foot-4 southpaw Mike Calkins for most of the season because of injury, but he came up big on Monday, hurling a complete game. Calkins had only pitched nine innings the entire season up to that point.
The Yellowjackets’ defense came through when needed as well. With runners on first and second and no outs in the bottom of the fourth inning, third baseman Sean Getman turned a double play after backhanding a grounder, stepping on third and throwing to first in time for the out.
With one out in the bottom of the fifth, Calkins started another double play after fielding a grounder back to the mound. Calkins struck out five and walked three.
Another trio of juniors have also been key to Oneonta’s success on the hill this season.
Sean Getman is 4-0, Connor Youngs is 4-1 and Nick Giallanzo had 14 strikeouts in one game earlier this year.
“With sectionals coming up, having four guys who you trust in a big game is a big advantage for us,” Hughes said.
Oneonta jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, with the big hit a Mike Giallanzo double to the right field fence in the top of third inning. The Warriors plated their two runs in the bottom of the sixth, but Calkins retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh inning.
In the top of the seventh, Oneonta leadoff man Chris Pindar led off with a long double to right-center field and moved to third on a bunt, but was stranded there.
“Chris has done a great job of igniting out offense this season,” Hughes said. “We’re lucky that we have a group of guys who love the game and work at it. Most of them played varsity baseball as sophomores, and now they’re coming into their own this year.”
The Yellowjackets have two games remaining in the regular season, while CV has three. If they both win out, they will meet in a one game playoff on Saturday at a time and place to be determined to decide the league champion.
“If they (Chenango Valley) want to lose one that would be fine with us,” Hughes joked.
STAC playoffs begin next week.