Courtesy of The Daily Star -Oneonta, NY (see original article at thedailystar.com)

By P.J. Harmer Staff Writer

ONEONTA _ Derrick Osteen helped the Oneonta Outlaws ride away with a victory Tuesday.

Osteen's infield single forced a throwing error and allowed two runs to cross home plate as Oneonta rallied for five runs with two out in the eighth inning for a 7-3 New York Collegiate Baseball League victory in its home opener against Mohawk Valley.

The first NYCBL game at Damaschke Field drew an announced crowd of 722 fans. The Outlaws (2-2) are in their inaugural season after moving from Saratoga earlier this year.

"It was a blast," Oneonta shortstop Osteen said. "It was good to get the first win in front of the home crowd. We picked up a win last night (at Albany) and we battled last night, too. It's good to battle again tonight."

With the bases loaded, Osteen fell behind in the count, 0-2. He got a third straight outside pitch from Joseph Michaud and pushed it toward second base. Mohawk Valley second baseman Quinn Renner dived to his right, made the grab and rushed a throw to first. Osteen dived head first into the bag to beat the throw, which sailed over first baseman Ryan Kemp.

Two runs scored on the play, giving the Outlaws a 4-3 lead.

"I got down, 0-2, and was kind of just looking to protect up there," Osteen said. "He came back with a fastball away, so I was able to just try and push it to the right side and luckily, it found a hole. ... I figured even if he fielded it and made a great throw, if I dive I should be able to make it there."

The rally made a winner out of T.J. Mullins, who pitched eight strong innings. He gave up three runs (one earned) on five hits, struck out four and walked two.

Mullins gave up an earned run in the top of the eighth, on an RBI single to Jason Simone that gave the DiamondDawgs (2-1) a 3-2 lead.

"He let up that hit to let them take the lead and he came in and said, 'Great, I just lost the game,'" Oneonta coach Greg Zackrison said. "We said, 'Nope, we're going to go win it for you right here.' That's the way he felt and it shows he cares and how much it means to him and that meant the world to make the comeback and get him off the hook."

James Young and William Arnold led off the eighth with walks against relief pitcher Tyler Rogers, who then struck out Oneonta High graduate Lance Ratchford and Sam Meyer back-to-back.

OHS graduate Jeff Wiltsie then walked on a 3-2 pitch to load the bases and chase Rogers. Osteen followed with a hit off Michaud to score Young, and Arnold went home on the error for a 4-3 lead.

Ryan Walsh, who finished 3-for-4 with two runs, two stolen bases and two RBIs, then singled to center. Wiltsie scored on the hit for a 5-3 advantage.

"I actually got a curveball and he hung it up there," Walsh said. "I just tried to stay up on it and drive it up the middle."

Matthew Scruggs and Tom Murphy followed with RBI singles to make it 7-3.

"We just clicked at the right time," Walsh said. "I think we started to put the barrel on the ball. It's kind of hard to start off. You go all year with metal bats and you come back with wood. We're starting to click and put the barrel on the ball."

Osteen and Walsh finished with two hits apiece for the Outlaws.

Heath Storey pitched the ninth in a non-save situation. He struck out the first two batters he faced before giving up a walk and a hit. He then struck out Kyle Richardson swinging to end it.

Oneonta has an off day today before returning home at 7 p.m. Thursday against Watertown.