by Matthew Cataruzolo
Farmingdale, NY – On the first day of the East Coast Labor Day Bash Tournament, Powered by Axcess Baseball, the Farmingdale Greendogs defeated the Dodgers Nation by a score of 18-2. The Greendogs were in control of the game immediately, and wasted no time putting runs on the board.
Getting after starting pitcher Gavin Ziegler began in the top of the first with a leadoff single by Greendogs’ center fielder Braden Cloghessy, followed by back-to-back RBI singles by Dominic Kloepping and Gabe Cepada. Catcher Patrick Molite plated two more with a ground rule double, giving Farmingdale an early 5-0 lead.
Farmingdale’s offensive attack exploded in the top of the second inning. After surrendering five runs, the LI Dodgers faced 13 Greendogs batters.
The inning began with three walks courtesy of Clogghessy, Kloepping and Cepada, bringing Molite to the plate with the bases loaded and one out. After being hit by a pitch, the Greendogs lead was extended to 6-0.
Despite a comfortable lead, the Greendogs did not let up. After a wild pitch scored Kloepping from third, Dodgers’ pitcher Theo Lui walked two out of the next three batters, loading the bases once again.
Farmingdale took advantage of the plethora of baserunners. Logan Tyler and Kloepping ripped back-to-back RBI doubles, racking up a 14-0 lead on the Dodgers.
Dominic Kloepping plates two as Farmingdale piles it on. 14-0 Greendogs after two. pic.twitter.com/zwspe8x8cJ
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) September 4, 2021
The third inning saw the Greendogs continue to pile it on. Adding four more runs through RBI singles by Jake Shevlin and Tyler, the score was now 18-1. In order to continue the game, the Dodgers needed to score at least three more runs to avoid the 15-run mercy rule.
After loading the bases in the bottom of the third, Dodgers’ center fielder Nick Trealy plated a run after reaching on a fielder’s choice. However, the Dodgers failed to score the necessary amount of runs to continue the game. The final score was 18-2.
“Just from top to bottom we had good at-bats, putting the ball in play. Good things happen when that happens,” said Farmingdale Coach Jeff Tyler. “Feeling very strong up and down the lineup, definitely have plenty of arms to go into the weekend so we’re looking forward to the rest of the matchups.”
Greendogs and Dodgers will both play the South Shore Chiefs later today.
