The Kingston‑Saugerties American Legion Senior baseball team opened its Mid‑Atlantic Regional campaign with a convincing 6‑1 win over Connecticut’s Waterford Legion Post 161 on August 6, 2024. From the first inning the squad showed a blend of disciplined hitting and tight pitching that set the tone for the rest of the game.
A pitching masterclass
Dylan MacDonald, a Red Hook High alumnus, delivered a stellar performance on the mound, tossing 6 ⅔ innings that yielded just one run on five hits while striking out eleven batters and walking only two. His composure under pressure kept Waterford’s early 1‑0 lead at bay and gave his teammates the breathing room they needed.
Jaylen Mclean, a Rondout Valley High graduate and former SUNY Ulster pitcher, sealed the victory with the final out, preserving the shutout and underscoring the depth of talent on the roster.
Clutch hitting and patience
The turning point came in the sixth inning when Kingston‑Saugerties erupted for four runs. Key contributors included Kaden Deibert, Keegan Hughes, Will Cummings, Jackson Huber and Matt Martin, who drove in the decisive scores as the opposition’s defense unraveled.
A total of ten walks issued by Waterford, three of which were earned by Will Cummings, helped fuel the rally. Jake Young, a Cairo‑Durham High alumnus, added a run with a timely double and single, further stretching the lead.
A path to the World Series
With the win secured, the team now turns its attention to a showdown against New Jersey’s Whitehouse Post 284 scheduled for August 7 at 6 p.m. A victory there would punch their ticket to the American Legion World Series, set for August 13‑18 in Shelby, North Carolina.
The road ahead promises tougher competition, but the combination of MacDonald’s dominant arm, Mclean’s reliable closing and a lineup that can manufacture runs in bunches gives Kingston‑Saugerties a strong chance to extend its season deep into August.