Dawgs' hurler Martin silences Wizards

The crowd wasn't quiet Friday, but the Watertown Wizards' bats were for sure.

The biggest explanation for Watertown's run shortage was Mohawk Valley pitcher Billy Martin. The right-handed starter allowed three hits in 72/3 innings and won his third straight game against the Wizards in the Diamond Dawgs' 5-1 victory in a New York Collegiate Baseball League game at the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds.

Martin's hard fastball and two offspeed pitches were enough to stifle Watertown (10-8), which has dropped four of five games to Mohawk Valley this season.

"It's just one of those things," Diamond Dawgs head coach Tim Lau said. "Pitchers face the same teams in this league all the time. It just happens that the rotation goes that way."

The Wizards took clean swings at Martin's pitches, but Mohawk Valley's hurler received some luck along the way. Several lined shots were snared by the defense, and the Diamond Dawgs turned a pair of double plays.

"It's just one of those teams we have a tough time with," Watertown coach Brandon Potter said. "We'll figure them out and get them eventually."

It was a wasted start for Wizards lefty Bobby Kennedy. The Elon College product surrendered three runs on eight hits in six innings and worked quickly on the mound. Potter hoped Kennedy's efficient rhythm would rub off on the offense.

"He should've had a better fate," Potter said. "He pitched well enough to win. We had to battle behind him, get some runs and change the game a little bit for him."

Jonathan Ross put Mohawk Valley ahead for good in the first inning with a two-run double. He provided a game-high three hits to pace the Diamond Dawgs.

"I was just sitting on fastballs," Ross said. "When I saw one, I just took advantage."

Ross scored on Brian Suerdick's sacrifice fly in the sixth inning to make it 3-0. Watertown scored its lone run on a fielding error by Mohawk Valley second baseman Steve Nickel in the bottom of the seventh to pull within 3-1.

But the game came to a screeching halt in the top of the eighth inning. Mohawk Valley's Alfred Brito fouled off a pitch that struck home plate umpire Tyler Jenkins in the chest. Jenkins was down for five minutes before leaving with breathing problems. Following a 15-minute delay, the game was completed with one umpire. Potter said the slower pace "hurt us."

Martin wasn't affected by the wait. He continued to attack the strike zone and got two more groundouts before exiting in the eighth inning. Devin Lange and Kevin DeGrouttola recorded the final four outs in relief.

"(Martin) throws a good change-up and slider, but it's all off his fastball," Lau said. "He's not overpowering by any means, but it's fast enough where you have to respect it. He pounds strikes."

Nate Shaver doubled, and Neiko Johnson and Jim Calderone each contributed singles for Watertown. The Wizards have scored more than two runs against the Diamond Dawgs just once this season.

When the two teams meet again Sunday, Ross thinks Martin should get the ball again.

"As long as we keep winning, might as well throw him out there," Ross said.