Dutchmen Drop Tough One in Amsterdam

By: Ryan Murphy

Gavin Wallace (Fairfield) throws over to first.

The Albany Dutchmen dropped a heartbreaker, surrendering a run in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Amsterdam Mohawks claimed a 3-2 victory at Shuttleworth Park in Amsterdam on Saturday night.

The Mohawks struck quickly in the bottom of the first inning, scoring a pair of runs. Riley Mahan (Kentucky) singled to right field, and Craig Dedelow (Indiana) drilled a line drive over the wall in right for a two-run home run, giving Amsterdam a 2-0 edge. A single from Hunter Tackett (Auburn) tried to extend the onslaught with a single, but was thrown out for just the second time this year by Dominic DiCaprio (Rice).

Albany answered with a run in the top of the second, cutting the Mohawks lead to 2-1. DiCaprio drew a leadoff walk, and moved over to third on a single from Adam Gauthier (Dartmouth). Jesse Cooper (Seton Hill) drove in the run with a groundout that deflected off pitcher Brad Schaenzer (Kentucky). Jack Weiller (Virginia) drew a walk to put a go-ahead run on base, but Albany could not capitalize with runners on first and third.

Stellar efforts from starters Schaenzer and Gavin Wallace (Fairfield) kept the game 2-1 until the top of the sixth inning. After the first two hitters of the frame were retired, Michael Fitzsimmons (Ole Miss) crushed a ball over the left field fence for his second home run of the season to tie the game at two. The homer was Fitzsimmons’ 28th RBI of the season, tying him with 2010 Dutchmen and current Mets minor leaguer Jon Leroux for the third highest single-season total in team history.

Wallace kept the game tied in the bottom of the seventh inning, working out of a jam with runners on first and third with one out. Aidan McDermott (St. John’s) attempted to lie down a safety squeeze bunt, but Wallace tossed home and retired Tyler Kirkpatrick (Marist) trying to score. A leaping catch from Jesse Cooper (Seton Hill) ended the frame.

However, the Mohawks plated the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Tackett singled with one out, but was forced out at second on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Justin Yurchak (Binghamton).  Yurchak stole second base, and an errant throw to second on the steal sent the cleanup hitter to third. The errant throw was overrun in center field, allowing Yurchak to score what proved to be the winning run.

Kyle Smith (NC State) retired the final six Dutchmen hitters, earning the win for the Mohawks, his third. Wallace, who allowed just two earned runs, took a tough-luck loss.

Sunday is an off day for the Albany Dutchmen, leading into Monday’s PGCBL All-Star Game. Mike Reitcheck (Penn), Nick Cioffi (Towson) and Zach Remillard (Coastal Carolina) will represent the team in the game, while Slayton Vaughan (Oral Roberts) will participate in the PGCBL Home Run Derby.

Albany returns to Bellizzi Field Tuesday for a doubleheader with the Saugerties Stallions . Accompanying the 5:05 start is Senior Citizen Night at the ballpark. It is also 2 for 2uesday at Bellizzi Field.



Search Archive »





Browse by Month »

April 2024
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
July 2021
June 2021
March 2021
May 2020
March 2020
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
November 2018
October 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
February 2017
January 2017
November 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
October 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
Ignite Business Solutions