dutchmenbaseball.com

With so much talent on display, it can be easy to overlook the local products on the Dutchmen roster. Yet year after year, players from just around the corner stare down the best the PGCBL has to offer.

This summer, when Dylan Collett has been on the mound, batters have been doing most of the blinking.

In 34.2 innings, Dylan has 34 strikeouts and has allowed just 21 hits, for a batting average against of a miniscule .174. Remarkably, his ERA is even lower, as Collett has allowed just 5 runs all season. No starter in the PGCBL has a lower ERA than Dylan’s 1.30.

The former Guilderland High School (located just 15 minutes from Albany) captain made ten appearances as a freshman at Keene State (NH), all in relief. He began this summer in the bullpen as well, but under the tutelage of an old friend, he earned a shot at a starting spot.

“Coach Davey was actually my pitching coach in high school,” Collett revealed. “He’s a great coach. If you’re not doing well, he knows how to raise your confidence.”

In addition to Davey, Collett credits James LaValley, his coach at Guilderland and with the South Troy Dodgers, for his success. While at Guilderland, Dylan set the single-season school ERA record.

Last week, less than 48 hours after recording a save, Collett got the start against Watertown. Dylan allowed just 3 hits over 8 innings, striking out 6 in the 3-1 victory.

“I struggled in the beginning of that game,” Collett recalled. “I gave up an early run, but I became more focused as the game went on.”

He followed that with another 1 run performance on Friday, this time going 7 strong stanzas to beat Cooperstown for his second win.

“It’s great being home, but it’s really an honor to play in this league.”