Chelsea Cavanaugh performed before Thursday's Albany Dutchmen game.
The Albany Dutchmen had a four-run lead through five innings, but were victims of a rally from the Glens Falls Golden Eagles, dropping a 9-8 decision to Glens Falls on Thursday night at Bellizzi Field. The loss dropped the Albany lead for the final playoff spot in the East Division to a half game over the Golden Eagles.
Albany struck first in the game, scoring a run in the bottom of the second inning. The frame started with a double from Cameron Miller (Baylor). After a walk to Nick Jewett (Trinity University), Miller scored on error off the bat of Justin Brock (Franklin Pierce). The Dutchmen put runners on second and third, but could not add to the lead.
The Dutchmen lead was extended to 2-0 in the third inning. Ernie Clement (Virginia) singled, and Adam Lee (Lipscomb) added a single to move Clement to third base. Lee would steal second base, and an errant throw to second allowed Clement to score the second run of the game.
Albany added to the lead in the fifth inning, scoring two runs to take a 4-0 lead. Clement began the inning by reaching on an error, and scored on a single from Sean Aspinall (Azusa Pacific). With two outs in the inning, Jewett doubled to drive in Aspinall and give the Dutchmen a four-run lead.
The Golden Eagles mounted a comeback in the top of the sixth inning, scoring five runs to take a 5-4 lead. All five runners that scored in the inning were put onto base via walks. The biggest hit of the inning came with two outs, when Mark Powell (Bucknell) clubbed a two-run single to put the Golden Eagles in front.
The lead swung back to the Dutchmen in the bottom of the sixth, with two Albany runs making it a 6-5 Dutchmen lead. A leadoff walk and a steal by Demetrius Webb (Indiana) started the inning, and after two outs, Lee drilled a double to tie the game. Aspinall followed with a double of his own to put Albany back on top.
Glens Falls retook the lead with two runs in the top of the seventh inning. Colton Montgomery (Georgia College) doubled to lead off the inning, and was brought in on a Brandon Purcell (Georgia College) single. Purcell scored on a throwing error, giving Glens Falls a 7-6 lead.
The lead was extended to 9-6 in the eighth inning, as Richard Gugliemi (Saginaw Valley State) drove in two runs on a double. He was thrown out at third to end the inning.
The Dutchmen attempted to rally in the bottom of the ninth inning, but could only score two of the necessary three runs. Jewett singled to start the inning, and Brock was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. A James Locklear (Rider) singled scored pinch-runner Dave Vaccaro (Radford), and a Webb bunt brought in Brock. Locklear was stranded on second to end the game.
The winning pitcher for the Golden Eagles was Nick McNeil (Nova Southeastern), and Austin Goeke (Wagner) took the loss for the Dutchmen. Tyler Ehlers (Colorado Mesa) earned the save.
The Dutchmen will battle the Amsterdam Mohawks Friday at Shuttleworth Park, and return home to battle the Golden Eagles on Saturday. The Dutchmen will host Albany Clothing and Promotions Night, and the first 200 fans will receive reusable Dutchmen Solo cups. Fans will also be able to find prizes and cash hidden in hot dog wrappers.
