Clinton County rallies past Rockland in state tournament opener

ROCHESTER | The Clinton County Mariners shook off a rocky third inning and used a clutch rally in the fifth to edge Rockland Post 130, 5-4, in the opening round of the New York state American Legion baseball tournament Saturday, July 26 at the RIT Baseball Complex. With the win, Clinton County (38-1) extended its winning streak to 20 games and advanced to face the winner of Smith Post 24 (Rome) and Greece Post 468 (Rochester) at 5 p.m. Sunday. Warren Miller delivered an early jolt for the Post 1619-sponsored Mariners, belting a solo home run to right in the top of the first — his 18th of the summer — to put Clinton County on the board. Donnie Mitchell's RBI groundout in the second made it 2-0 following a double steal by Nate Baker and Seth Petrashune. Rockland responded with a four-run outburst in the third. The Pirates strung together five hits and capitalized on a wild pitch, capped by a Jeffrey Diaz homer to left, to take a 4-2 lead. But the Mariners were unfazed. In the top of the fifth, Clinton County rallied with three runs to regain the lead. Scott LaMountain scored on a throwing error from center field, and Petrashune came through with a two-out, two-run single to center, giving the Mariners a 5-4 advantage. From there, Clinton County's bullpen took over. Steven Bronson relieved Miller in the fifth inning and slammed the door, tossing three scoreless frames and striking out three to earn the save. Miller, who threw 80 pitches, finished with six strikeouts and allowed five hits, four earned runs and two walks. Clinton County outhit Rockland 6-5 and committed just one error compared to the Pirates' three. Rockland's Joe Santulli took the loss in relief. The Mariners will look to keep their state title hopes alive Sunday evening in the eight-team, double-elimination tournament. Clinton County is seeking its first state championship since 1969. — Clinton County 5, Rockland 4 Clinton County 110 030 0 — 5 6 1 Rockland 004 000 0 — 4 5 3 Maltbie, Santulli (2) and Diaz. Miller, Bronson (5) and Moore. WP- Miller. LP- Santulli. S- Bronson. 2B- Perry (CC). HR- Miller (CC), Diaz (R). Clinton County batting #9 Mitchell (LF) 1-4, RBI, SO #1 Calkins (3B) 0-3, BB, SO #18 Miller (P) 2-2, HR, R, RBI, 2 BB #13 LaMountain (RF) 1-4, R, SO #22 Duprey (1B) 0-3, R, BB, SO #7 Perry (CF) 1-4, 2B #4 Baker (SS) 0-2, 2 R, 2 BB, SO #3 Petrashune (2B) 1-2, 2 RBI, BB #20 Moore (C) 0-2, 2 SO #5 Bronson (P) 0-1 Clinton County pitching #18 Miller (W) 4 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO #5 Bronson (S) 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO — Schedule at Rochester Institute of Technology Saturday, July 26 Game 1 Adrean Post 625 (Utica) 12, Hillcrest Post 1194 (Binghamton) 3, final Game 2 Clinton County Post 1619 (Plattsburgh) 5, Rockland Post 130 (White Plains) 4, final Game 3 Hamburg Post 527 (Buffalo) vs. Cottreall-Warner Post 942 (Rochester), 2:30 p.m. Game 4 Smith Post 24 (Rome) vs. Greece Post 468 (Rochester), 5 p.m. Sunday, July 27 Game 5 Hillcrest Post 1194 (Binghamton) vs. Loser Game 3, 9 a.m. Game 6 Rockland Post 130 (White Plains) vs. Loser Game 4, 11:30 a.m. Game 7 Adrean Post 625 (Utica) vs. Winner Game 3, 2:30 p.m. Game 8 Clinton County Post 1619 (Plattsburgh) vs. Winner Game 4, 5 p.m. Monday, July 28 Game 9 Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 7, 11 a.m. Game 10 Winner Game 5 vs. Loser Game 8, 2 p.m. Game 11 Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 29 Game 12 Winner Game 10 vs. Loser Game 11, 2 p.m.* Game 13 Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 11, 5 p.m.* Wednesday, July 30 Game 14 Winner Game 12 vs. Winner Game 13, 10 a.m.** Game 15 If necessary, 30 minutes after Game 14.** *Elimination game **Championship round

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Clinton County rallies past Rockland in state tournament opener

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