JUNE 15, 2004
Eagles keep on rolling
Glens Falls rips Saratoga for third straight time, 6-2

By MICHAEL LEWIS - mlewis@poststar.com
Local Sports - THE POST-STAR

SARATOGA SPRINGS -- As rivalries go, this is starting to resemble the Yankees and Red Sox.

In three New York Collegiate Baseball League games this spring, the Glens Falls Golden Eagles have shown themselves to be superior to the Saratoga Phillies in all areas.

The Golden Eagles, playing the part of the Bronx Bombers, once again dominated their closest rival Monday night at East Side Rec, trouncing Saratoga, 6-2.

The victory was the seventh straight for first-place Glens Falls (10-2), and it has now defeated the Phillies by a combined score of 18-3.

"They're a darn good ball club, that's what you have to say," Saratoga head coach Matt Mueller said. "They hit, they pitch great, and they play great defense. That's all you have to do to win, and they do it every night."

The Golden Eagles don't seem to mind who their opponent is each night, and it seems almost every game a different hero emerges.

Monday was a rare night when a star from the previous evening got top honors again. Right fielder David Williams, who drove in the winning run in a double-header nightcap Sunday night, drilled a three-run home run onto Caroline Street in the top of the third, giving Glens Falls a 3-0 edge.

"That was huge; the way our pitchers have been going, three runs is a really big lead," Glens Falls coach John Mayotte said.

The Golden Eagles' bats continued to shine Monday, drilling 11 hits off four Phillies pitchers.

Saratoga, which has only had its full roster together for a few days, continued its early-season struggles. The Phillies committed four errors and, save for a two-run single by center fielder Tim Henry in the fifth, could do little against Eagles starter Jeremy Hall (3-0).

"We're 3-7, but we've got 42 games and nobody is getting down on themselves," Mueller said. "I truly think everybody in this division will be there at the end."

It certainly appears Glens Falls will be. Hall's seven strong innings, combined with terrific infield defense all night, kept the Golden Eagles ahead.

The cornerstone of the defense may be shortstop Jeremy Goldschmeding. A University of Michigan product entering his junior year, Goldschmeding has shown tremendous range at short, and his arm might be the best in the league.

Hoping to play quarterback for the Wolverines as a kid, Goldschmeding settled for baseball and could have a bright future.

"I know I need to work on my hitting a little bit, but it's coming around," he said. "It's nice to be in this lineup where everybody hits a little."

Aaron Hepner and Cory Rodriguez also added two hits for the Golden Eagles, while Drew Reynolds rapped two hits for the Phillies.

Glens Falls next plays at Mohawk Valley on Wednesday in a 5 p.m. game. Saratoga is back home Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. against Watertown.