Albany, NY - The Albany Dutchmen (17-10) swept Friday night’s doubleheader with the PGCBL-leading Glens Falls Golden Eagles (19-11), winning both games by an identical score of 3-2. The win pulls Albany with a half game of first place in the Eastern division.
In game two, the Dutchmen won in walk-off fashion, with Tyler Orris (Millersville) delivering the game-winning RBI single to score Jack Wietlispach (Niagara) and give Albany its 5th straight win.
In game one, it was the Golden Eagles who struck first. Braxton Martinez (St. Louis) hit an RBI single in the first to score Bryan Martinez (UTPA). But that would be it for a while for Glens Falls. Dutchmen starter Bryan Carr (St. Rose) pitched a gem, going six and a third innings, allowing just two runs on nine hits.
Albany came back in the 2nd and 3rd innings to take a 2-1 lead in game one. RBI singles from Wietlispach and Matt Dacey (Richmond) gave the Dutchmen the lead. This was despite a great performance on the hill from Golden Eagles ace Zach Hopf (St. Peter’s), who suffered his first loss of the season. Hopf went a full six innings and stuck out seven.
The Dutchmen added an insurance run in the 6th, and headed to the 7th and final inning with a 3-1 lead. Carr went back out to the hill, but got in trouble after allowing an RBI single to Ramirez. With one out, Thomas Belcher (Indiana) came in to save the game. On just his third pitch, he induced the game-ending 1-2-3 double play with the bases loaded to give Albany the win.
In game two, it was more drama between the two best teams in the league. Coming in, Albany and Glens Falls had already played five 1-run games. After game two, it would be an amazing six 1-run games between the two powerhouses.
Once again, the Golden Eagles jumped out to a 1-0 lead, after Raphael Gladu (College Lafleche) hit an RBI single in the 3rd. Albany would respond immediately, however. Joe Purritano (Dartmouth) punched in Brad Noland (North Alabama) in the next half inning to tie the game at one. This, after Noland crushed his team-leading 3rd triple of the season.
Two innings later, Noland would give the Dutchmen a one-run lead after a sacrifice fly brought home Luke Nethaway (St. Rose). But this time it would be Glens Falls who wouldn’t go down without a fight. The Golden Eagles scored a run in the top of the 6th off a Garrett DeGallier (Tacoma) sacrifice fly.
After the game-tying run came home, it was the end of starter Jimmy Davitt’s (Bryant) night. The righty went give and two-thirds, allowed just two runs and struck out seven.
While the Dutchmen bats were quieted in the 6th, they came out to play in the 7th. Derrick Armstrong (Mississippi State) led off the inning with a single, Jack Wietlispach followed with a walk, and after Armstrong was caught in a pickle, Wietlispach advanced to third. With the pressure on, Tyler Orris delivered. The 9-hole hitter hit a walk-off single right back up the middle to give Albany the 3-2 walk-off win.
The Dutchmen improve to 17-10 with the win, and pull within a half game of first place Glens Falls. Albany has also won five straight.
Next up, the Dutchmen welcome the Water Rams into Albany for a Saturday night showdown tomorrow. Saturday is Heroes Night, which means all police officers, firefighters, and EMT’s can get in for only $2. There are also plenty of prizes in “Baseball Bingo,” including a trip for two to Foxwoods Resort & Casino. First pitch is set for 7:05 PM.
