Albany, N.Y. – The Albany Dutchmen (23-18) split a doubleheader with the Utica Brewers (14-23), led by a complete game shutout from pitcher Dylan Collett (Keene St.) in a game two victory.
Game one featured a complete game pitching performance from Utica, while game two featured the same for Albany.
In game one, Albany starting pitcher Sean Spicer (Baylor) uncharacteristically gave up two runs in the top of the 1st inning, but the Dutchmen responded in the home half when Anthony Marks (Coastal Carolina) scored on a throwing error.
Utica added another run in the 2nd on a double steal, and held a 3-1 lead until the 4th, when Jay Gonzalez (Auburn) singled in two more runs. Gonzalez reached base three times in the game, and also stole two bases.
Albany cut the deficit to 5-2 in the sixth inning on a Brad Noland (North Alabama) fielder’s choice, but was unable to score any more runs against Utica starter Josh Smetana (West Virginia Tech). Smetana pitched a complete game and gave up just one run on seven hits, improving his record to 2-2 on the season. Spicer (3-2) picked up his second loss of the season, and Utica took game one 5-2.
Game two featured a great pitching performance from Albany’s Dylan Collett in his fourth start of the season. Collett struck out four batters in the first three innings, and retired 10 consecutive batters between the 3rd and 6th innings.
The Dutchmen offense gave their pitcher an early lead when Brian Ruhm (UC Davis) knocked in two runs with a base hit in the 2nd inning. And Albany added two more runs in the 5th inning on an RBI single from Zach Remillard (Coastal Carolina) and a sacrifice fly from Matt Dacey (Richmond).
The Dutchmen would hold that 4-0 lead for the remainder of the game, as Collett finished off his complete game shutout with a strikeout in the 7th, his sixth of the game. The win improved Collett’s record to 3-0 on the season, while Utica starting pitcher Kellen Hackett (Fresno Pacific) fell to 2-1.
Remillard was the standout performer offensively for the Dutchmen in game two. He reached base in all three of his plate appearances, collecting two hits and stealing four bases. Brad Noland stole two bases in the game as well, which was part of seven total stolen bases as a team in game two of the doubleheader.
Splitting the doubleheader kept both the Dutchmen and Utica in their respective playoff races. Albany is now tied for third place in the East, while Utica is just one game back of third place in the west.
Albany plays at Elmira (20-20) on Friday night, before returning home for a game with major playoff implications against Mohawk Valley (23-16) on Saturday night. There will be Yankee Trails Baseball Bingo at Saturday’s game, where you can win a New York City shopping trip for two! There will also be a Dutchmen Raffle featuring a Kindle Fire ($275 value) and a trip for two the New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers game at Yankee Stadium on August 10th! First pitch on Saturday night is set for 7:05 PM at Bob Bellizzi Field.
