Friday, July 16th (Guilderland, NY)-- Albany Dutchmen were swept in a doubleheader against the Saugerties Stallions by scores of 9-5 and 11-8.
Errors were the main difference between the Dutchmen and the Stallions, as Saugerties did not have an error on the day and Albany committed nine total errors. All 13 runs Albany scored on the day were earned, while 10 of the 20 Saugerties runs were unearned.
Saugerties got out to an early lead in the first game, as the first batter of the day Josh Stevenson (LSU) homered on the second pitch of the evening, and Jack Renwick (Wofford) scored on an error.
Stevenson continued to swing a hot bat in the second frame on a 2 RBI single that put the Stallions ahead 4-0.
Albany got on the board in the third inning when Mike Handal (Fairfield) singled in Johnny Decker (Stony Brook) and Isaac Humphrey (Louisville). George Rainer (RPI) scored on a passed ball as well to cut the Dutchmen deficit to one run.
In the fifth inning, Saugerties scored two more runs courtesy of a fielders choice and an error, giving the Stallions some cushion in the form of a 6-3 lead.
Albany took the lead for the first time on the day in a four run fifth inning. Mike Handal (Fairfield) picked up his third RBI of the day on a single that scored Evan Fox (Stony Brook). Will Stroud (Azusa Pacific) walked with the bases loaded to cut the deficit to one, then Logan Beard (Louisville) singled in Ryan McGee (Siena) and Mike Handal (Fairfield) to take the lead.
Saugerties answered back in the top of the sixth, Caden Kendle (UC Irvine) scored on a wild pitch to tie the game, and Max Moris (St. Thomas) scored the fourth unearned run of the day to put Saugerties ahead.
In the seventh inning, Saugerties knocked the wind out of the Dutchmen on a crazy play that resulted in four runs crossing for the Stallions courtesy of two errant throws.
Logan Beard (Louisville) picked up another RBI single in the bottom of the seventh, but the Dutchmen could not mount a comeback and dropped game one 11-8, despite out hitting Saugerties 11-9.
Both sides had command issues in game two, as a total of 21 walks were issued.
Game two was tied 1-1 after two, after each side picked up a run due to fielders choices and walks.
Saugerties started to pull away in the third inning, David Shackleford (Arizona) drove in Caden Kendle (UC Irvine), and scored unearned along with Jakob Marquez (Washington State) on an error.
In the fourth inning Albert Jennings (Washington State) singled in Jack Renwick (Wofford), as Renwick was yet another unearned run.
Albany picked up two earned runs in the bottom of the fourth, George Rainer (RPI) scored on a wild pitch and Tom Kretzler (Brockport) doubled in Mike Handal (Fairfield) to make it a 5-3 Saugerties lead.
Saugerties went on to win game two 9-5 after scoring four more runs, three of which were unearned.
Albany returns on Saturday, July 17th for a 6:35 game against the Utica Blue Sox for Albany Med Night, and CDTA Kids In Free Night at Dutchmen Field.
