Times Observer photo by Matt Spielman Jamestown Tarp Skunks third baseman Aidan Wallace catches a foul pop-up during Saturday's PGCBL West Division game against the Niagara Power at Diethrick Park in Jamestown, N.Y.

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — The goal of any season is to be in first place on the last day of the season.

It helps to get there earlier.

The Jamestown Tarp Skunks hope they are on their way.

Will Saxenmeyer (Wagner College) pitched no-hit ball through four innings and Jamestown put up six runs in the sixth inning barely hitting the ball out of the infield to beat the Niagara Power 8-2 in a rain-shortened seven-inning Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League contest Saturday night at Diethrick Park.

“To win against Niagara puts us up in the series to pull away from them a little bit more and puts us in a good spot,” Jamestown head coach Jordan Basile said. “We’re going to be able to control out own destiny against Batavia it seems like.”

Times Observer photo by Matt Spielman Jamestown Tarp Skunks shortstop Tommy Googins flips the ball to second base for an out during Saturday's PGCBL West Division game against the Niagara Power at Diethrick Park in Jamestown, N.Y.

With the victory, the Tarp Skunks improved to 18-10 overall, a game and a half behind the Batavia Muckdogs (21-10) for first place in the West Division.

“We’re all just kind of sitting in the middle of the pack … to Batavia,” Basile said. “The middle of the pack is playing to win the division or at least get a home playoff game at minimum.”

With rain clouds threatening near the middle of Friday night’s game, Jamestown began to play for one run in the sixth inning. It ended up with plenty more.

Paul Catalano (Fairfield University) led off the frame by reaching on an error and Evan Fragela (University of Pittsburgh-Bradford) followed with a bunt that rolled underneath the Power pitcher’s glove for a single. Colin Houck (East Stroudsburg University) followed with a bunt to a wide-open third-base side of the infield and quickly the bases were loaded with no outs.

“We’re playing for one run. It’s funny how that works. You get the first bunt down and then you bunt and get the second one down, it starts a little bit of a rally,” Basile said. “Whether we’re playing for one run or not, I hope the guys continue to see how important it is to get a bunt down and put the pressure on the defense.”

Times Observer photo by Matt Spielman Jamestown Tarp Skunks pitcher Will Saxenmeyer delivers to the plate during Saturday's PGCBL West Division game against the Niagara Power at Diethrick Park in Jamestown, N.Y.

After a short flyout to left field, Aidan Wallace (University of Tampa) and Ryan Mittelman (University of Tampa) worked consecutive bases-loaded walks to force in two runs. A wild pitch allowed Houck to score, and after Aiden Dunlap (Youngstown State University) walked to load the bases again, Alex Ahlstrom (Finger Lakes Community College) walked to force in the fourth run of the inning, spelling the end of the night for Niagara reliever Carson Page.

Tommy Googins (Princeton University) greeted Power extra hitter-turned-reliever Zach Evans with a two-run single to make it 8-1 before Niagara got out of the inning.

Ryan Rafalski (Mercyhurst University) relieved Saxenmeyer and picked up the win, allowing two runs on two hits — including Andrew Fairbrother’s long home run to left field to lead off the seventh — while walking three and striking out two.

Jamestown struggled to score off Power starter Zach Johnson in four innings, but did get his pitch count up to 80 on four walks and three hits. Ahlstrom drove in the first run of the game by beating out a double-play ball in the second inning.

“Friday night, I think we beat ourselves by trying to hit in too many hitter’s counts and not squaring up the pitch,” Basile said. “Tonight, we were able to get it a little bit deeper and make guys work.”

Times Observer photo by Matt Spielman Jamestown Tarp Skunks' Connor Bendeck is thrown out at home plate as Niagara Power catcher Jeremy Glinski prepares to make the tag during Saturdayás PGCBL West Division game at Diethrick Park in Jamestown, N.Y.

Saxenmeyer left with a 1-0 lead, but Niagara tied the game on a walk to Brett Johnson and an RBI single by Andrew Stillinger in the fifth before Rafalski got out of the inning with one of his two pickoffs in the game.

“Will did a good job getting through there. I think we ended up as a team with seven or eight walks,” Basile said. “Will gave up five walks, but on the flip side, he gave up zero hits. He was able to refocus, throw a strike and get out of it.”

The Tarp Skunks will look to continue their winning ways in a doubleheader at Auburn this afternoon. The DoubleDays beat Jamestown 5-4 on Friday night.

“We’ll be able to get mostly everybody in there and play two games. We’ll probably see the same lineup from them twice,” Basile said. “Being able to mix and match guys, we’re able to win with any lineup we have. It’s a bonus.”