Indians Shutout Again
Rome Falls Four Games Behind Schenectady

by Scott Montesano
Rome Indians Marketing Intern

(Rome, NY) Erin Jones struck out 13 and allowed only three hits as the Schenectady Mohawks defeated the Rome Indians 5-0 Monday night at DeLutis Field.

The loss drops the Indians (14-12) to 4.0 games behind Eastern Division leader Schenectady (18-8), and 2.0 games behind second place Mohawk Valley.

Rome has now lost four of the last six games, and is just 1-3 on its current six-game homestand.

The Mohawks scored the only runs they would need in the top of the third.

Bryan Triplett doubled off of Rome starter Joe Brown to lead off the inning. Anthony Ragalani followed with an RBI triple to give Schenectady a 1-0. Ragalani scored to make it 2-0 on a sacrifice fly by Keith Brachold.

With two outs, Nick Shimer was hit by a pitch and moved to second base on a passed ball by catcher Kyle Mihalski. After a groundout moved Shimer to third base, he came into score on a wild pitch by Brown.

The Indians never threatened the lead as Jones completely shut down the Indians.

Rome did have a runner at second base in the bottom of the third but was unable to capitalize. In the end, the Indians went down in order in six innings.

Between the third and seventh innings, Jones retired 12 straight batters. Once that streak was ended, Jones finished the game by retiring the final nine Indians hitters.

Cory Newman was the lone offense bright spot for the Indians, picking up two of the team’s hits. Andrew Buffington had Rome’s only other hit. All of the hits were singles.

The Indians have now been held scoreless in 24 straight innings. Rome last scored a run in game one of their doubleheader against Plattsburgh on Sunday.

Joe Brown took the loss for the Indians, going seven innings allowing three earned runs.

Kevin Ryan pitched the eighth while Josh Pardo mopped up in the ninth.

Rome will try to right the ship on Tuesday night when they host the Watertown Wizards at 7pm at Larry DeLutis Field.

Box Scores

WP: Erin Jones
LP: Joe Brown (2-2)

2B: Schenectady – Bryan Triplett, Keith Brachold

3B: Schenectady – Anthony Ragalani

Time: 2:37

Rome (14-12) Schenectady (18-8)