Offensive Performance of the Year: Clutch FitzsimmonsBy: Ryan Murphy December 14, 2015 As 2015 comes to a close, DutchmenBaseball.com is taking a look back at the year that was, continuing today with 2015’s Offensive Performance of the Year. The Albany Dutchmen entered the final day of the regular season in a familiar situation; for the second time in three years, the Dutchmen would play the Glens Falls Dragons at East Field in a win or go home contest. Facing Glens Falls’ Pitcher of the Year Alex Yarem (Campbell), Albany was able to advance to a third consecutive postseason led by the man that had been the offensive centerpiece all season long — Ole Miss infielder Michael Fitzsimmons. Fitzsimmons, who was the Team Player of the Year and a second team All-PGCBL selection, had his best game of the season in the biggest spot, driving in four runs on three hits, including a home run in Albany’s 7-1 victory over the Dragons. Fitzsimmons’ display in the final game entitles him to the honor of Dutchmen Offensive Performance of the Year. The infielder flashed his power in his first at-bat, taking the second pitch of the second inning and driving it over the center field wall, giving Albany a 1-0 lead with his third home run of the season. His efforts continued the next inning, with two outs and the Albany lead expanded to 3-0. The Rebel recorded one of his 49 hits with an RBI single that scored Grayson Lewis (Rice). He finished his production in the fifth inning, putting the Dragons away with a two run double that allowed Lewis and Jesse Cooper (Seton Hill) to score. The four runs batted in tied for a season-high for the Dutchmen, part of a team record 36 RBIs. During the season, Fitzsimmons set Dutchmen records for RBIs, doubles, and extra-base hits. Fitzsimmons said after the game he was able to drive pitches in the zone to help the Albany Dutchmen into the playoffs. “They just gave me a couple pitches to hit, and I was able to get my best swing off,” Fitzsimmons said. “I made good contact with it.” In a season full of memorable and influential performances for Fitzsimmons, none were bigger than the effort that came in front of over 2200 fans in Glens Falls on the final night of the PGCBL regular season. Coupled with a gem from Team Pitcher of the Year Nick Cioffi, Fitzsimmons played an pivotal role in another Albany trip to the playoffs. Next week: DutchmenBaseball.com honors those that set Dutchmen records during the 2015 season. |
Browse by Month »
March 2024 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 January 2022 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 March 2021 May 2020 March 2020 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 November 2018 October 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 October 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 October 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 |