The Explorers are back in the race in what has been an incredible team effort. Included in the team effort is an outstanding performance by Sullivan’s Kevin Putkonen who has had 6 home runs in 7 days and is this weeks Empire League Player of the Week.

Kevin homered twice versus Old Orchard Beach and 4 times versus the New Hampshire Wild giving him the league lead at 6 total.

He has raised his batting average now to .386 with 6 Home Runs and 12 Runs Batted In all coming this week.

During Kevins hot streak the team is has won in 5 out of the 7 days. Kevin had a total of 16 hits during the run.

With just 9 games remaining in the first half, The Watertown Bucks and the Old Orchard Beach Surge are fighting for first place as they are only within a half game from each other.

The Watertown Bucks still have a make-up game versus the New Hampshire Wild that could determine the first half winner. That game has not been re-scheduled but the League hopes to get it played prior to the end of the half!

The New Hampshire Wild are 6 games back with just 9 games remaining and look to be out of it although they technically still have a chance. They will need to win out and get some help from the other teams. Manager Jerry Gonzalez will continue to play until the last day and see how it plays out.

The Sullivan Explorers however are right in it. Having the last two remaining series with the first place Bucks and finishing off with the Old Orchard Beach Surge could put them right in the race as they are only just a couple games back. Taking 4 out of 5 from New Hampshire was a huge reason why you should look for the Explorers to give it a strong push for first place.

As the last two series of the first half begin tonight, all teams are looking to make a statement.

“This is the exciting part, it’s going to be fun watching these teams compete for the first place that will put the winner into the Championship Series” -Eddie Gonzalez

The Surge begin a 4 game set in New Hampshire versus the Wild, while The Explorers begin a 4 game set versus the Watertown Bucks. Both games set to begin at 6:30 pm tonight!

The Watertown Bucks are proud to announce the moving of Catcher Nic Lops to the Ottawa Champions of the CanAm League.

The move was made late last night following their 3-0 win over the New Hampshire Wild. Managers and league directors got together to make the deal that will send rookie Catcher to Ottawa to compete at one of the highest levels of professional baseball.

Lops will be the leagues 5th player of the season to move to a high level league from the Empire League.

“He has been a prime example on and off the field on what we want as players coming out of our program. This is exactly why now he moves on up to the CanAm League where he will face the Cuban National Team.” – Eddie Gonzalez (EL Director of Business)

The Watertown Bucks (8-5) will continue play tonight at 630pm at the Alex T Duffy Fairgrounds as they take on the Old Orchard Beach Surge (9-5) in what will be a battle for first place. Bucks Manager Simon Walters said this about the move and where it puts the team.

“I’m very happy for Nic, he’s going to get his shot and I can only hope he stays up there the rest of the year. He fit the criteria of the kind of player Ottawa was looking for and I hope he does well. As far as our team goes, we will make a move and continue playing our game.” Simon Walters (Bucks Manager)

 

 

Tickets are on sale at the box office 1 hour prior to game at just $5 per person. For more visit empireproleague.com and learn on how you can follow players that start with the Empire League and continue on to the path of the dream!

The Old Orchard Beach Surge (3-2) defeated the visiting Sullivan Explorers (2-3) on Tuesday night at The Ballpark with a final score of 7-6.

The game remained scoreless until the 3rd inning, when the Explorers took a 2-0 lead. Left fielder Bryan Hoover and second baseman Shigeta Hayoto each picked up RBIs. The Surge offense quickly matched it, with third baseman Luc Pomales knocking a 2-run single.

The Explorers would take a 3-2 lead in the 5th, with a bases loaded HBP. A solo homerun from Surge designated hitter Jordyn Van Atta, his first of the season, tied it 3-3.

Sullivan took a 5-3 lead in the 7th, with runners reaching home on an error and a sac fly from outfielder Adrian Gonzalez. Another error in the 8th would allow the Explorers to take a 6-3 lead.

The Surge rally began in the bottom of the 8th, getting themselves within 1 run. Pomales led off with a triple, reaching home on a Sean Washington sac fly. Shortstop Joshua Martinez knocked in Nathan Schwertner with an RBI single.

Matt Papa took the Explorers into the 9th inning with a one run lead to complete 8 innings pitched. The Surge tied it up then walked off with a bases loaded single to end the game.

The Explorers play at home Wednesday, June 8th, at 3:00pm for game 1 of a 5-game series with the Watertown Bucks at Generals Park.

Your Sullivan Explorers (2-2) defeated the Old Orchard Beach Surge (2-2) in extra innings on Monday night at The Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach with a final score of 12-10.
The Explorers took a 2-0 lead in the 1st off a 2-run homerun from shortstop Nate Coronado. Surge outfielder Sean Washington would cut that lead in half with a solo shot, his first of the season.
The Explorers took a 5-1 lead in the 2nd, with left fielder Bryan Hoover knocking in a 2-RBI single. The Surge would pick away at the lead, with shortstop Dan Gagnon knocking an RBI single. The Explorers collected 2 more runs in the 3rd, with a walk and a wild pitch allowing runners to score, making it 7-2.
Right handed pitcher Christian Telemaco would take over for the Surge in the 4th, ending the night for starter Benny Collesano. Collesano ended his debut with 3 walks, 3 Ks, and 4 hits.

Sullivan took an 8-2 lead in the 4th inning, with first baseman Brian Fay and left fielder Bryan Hoover picking up RBI’s on walks. The Surge began to rally back, cutting the lead in half off a 2-run single from Washington. Fay would add an RBI single in the 6th to make it 9-4.

The Surge offense came alive in the 6th, coming within 1-run of the Explorers. Van Atta picked up an RBI and third baseman Luc Pomales knocked in a run on a sac fly.

Explorers outfielder Gevon Jackson made it 10-8 with an RBI single in the 7th. Relief pitcher Rich Baerga would take over the mound for the Surge.

DH Kevin Putkonen got his 4th double of the season. The Surge would rally back to tie the game 10-10 in the 8th inning. Outfielder Brandon Cooksey and Gagnon each knocked RBI singles.

The game remained tied until the 10th inning when with 2 outs Explorer’s second baseman Hayoto Shigeta knocked an RBI double scoring Bryan Hoover who reach with a single up the middle. Gevon Jackson would add an RBI single to make it 12-10 in for the Explorers.