COLONIE — The first time Shenendehowa third baseman Brad Curtis came up Friday afternoon, he delivered an RBI single to open the scoring against Colonie. The sophomore continued to produce for the Plainsmen on the day that started well and increasingly improved on a sunny afternoon.
In a showdown of two of the top teams in the Suburban Council standings, the day totally belonged to the visitors as Shenendehowa scored three times in the first inning and cruised to a 13-0 victory over the Garnet Raiders.
Curtis, who departed the field wearing a WWE-like championship belt after being selected as Shen’s game Most Valuable Player for producing three singles, one double and five RBIs, put the Plainsmen up 1-0 when he ripped an 0-1 offering by Colonie starter Jason Novak to right that plated Ryan Cronin. Ethan Farina scored on a double play grounder and a third run scored following four consecutive walks that signaled the end of Novak’s outing.
“Our mistakes just compounded in that first inning. It sets the tone. From there on out, we couldn’t get a break,” Colonie coach Mike Morrissey said.
“That got the game going on the right foot. I think we came out hot and stayed hot the rest of the game,” Curtis said.
“That was awesome. There was no pressure on me after that putting up three runs in the first inning,” said Shenendehowa junior starter James Redick, who allowed three hits over five innings to collect the win.
Shenendehowa (7-1 overall, 7-0 Suburban Council) dropped its lone game of the season April 7 in a nonleague contest against rival Saratoga Springs when the Blue Streaks came to Plainsmen Park and scored five times in the first inning of what turned out to be an 8-5 win. Since that defeat, Shen has been starting strong and playing from in front to capture five straight decisions.
“Saratoga is a good team. I think we have…
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