BOONVILLE, NY - Winning is a luxury. 

And losing skids force you to appreciate each and every triumph.

Boonville (18-20-1) defeated division-leading Amsterdam (29-9-2) 12-5 last night at Hanson Aggregates Field, snapping a 10-game losing streak. 

The Lumberjacks’ lineup led the charge, recording 14 hits, which marked the second-straight game that the batting order has boasted a double-digit mark.

But timely baserunning and situational hitting laid the foundation for the victory. 

Boonville posted four extra-base hits – utility player Sebastian Burgos along with outfielders Jorge Olivera and Chase Triplett recorded doubles, and designated hitter Jeremiah McLemore launched a three-run home run over the center field fence – but those plated only four of the team’s 12 runs. 

Singles accounted for two runs, with first baseman Carter McKay and pinch hitter Akhil Nimmala notching RBIs off hits. And catcher Connor Tepatti hit a ball deep into the infield to create an opportunity for Olivera’s home-plate dash, plating another run on a groundout.

Still, the Lumberjacks’ baserunning ability elevated their run production. 

The squad’s base-path alertness in the bottom of the fourth allowed them to take a commanding four-run lead. A blunder from Mohawk reliever Jesse Kuzmich, who threw a ball that flew past Mohawk first baseman Bray Touchstone, led to second baseman Miguel Gonzalez’s home-plate trot. 

But another error would help Boonville nab another run on the same play. Amsterdam right fielder Sebastian Harden sailed a relay throw past catcher Brett Rowell, and Burgos capitalized on the mistake, rounding third base and reaching home.

Yet, quality pitching must supplement a dominant batting performance to mount a lead.

And the Lumberjacks’ pitching staff stymied the Mohawks’ lineup, racking up 15 strikeouts while stranding eight Mohawk runners on base. 

Pitcher Colton Sampson made his third start of the season, capturing his first win while boasting eight strikeouts. The former Phillies Scout team southpaw has allowed just three earned runs across his last 10 innings pitched, establishing himself as a staple arm in the starting rotation. 

And the bullpen topped off Sampson’s strong outing, with relievers Will Markwood, Lakeal Morris, Peter Nenadich III and Riley Hasenstab each completing one inning to shut down Amsterdam’s lineup, allowing just two runs across the final four frames. 

The pitchers appeared confident on the mound, delivering early strikes to get ahead in counts. The staff surrendered just three walks against the Mohawks’ lineup, which has posted a league-leading 267 free passes this season. 

The Lumberjacks still have a slim chance of reaching the playoffs, with the Diamond Dawgs falling 7-6 to the Blue Sox last night, and the Lumberjacks now sit two full games behind the fourth-place Diamond Dawgs in the East Division standings. 

Boonville will have back-to-back contests against Glens Falls this weekend. The two squads will face each other tomorrow night at East Field.