The Dutchmen battled Amsterdam at Shuttleworth Park.
The Albany Dutchmen surrendered a run in four consecutive innings, and managed just five hits in a 4-0 loss to the Amsterdam Mohawks Tuesday night at Shuttleworth Park. The Amsterdam win gave the Mohawks a two-game sweep in a home-and-home with the Dutchmen.
The Mohawks got on the board in the second inning, scoring a run on two hits. Tyler Kirkpatrick (Marist) walked to lead off the inning, and moved over to second base on a single by Gage West (Florida State). After a strikeout by Albany starter Brandon Nylin (Herkimer CC), Macy Holdsworth (Indiana) singled in the opening run of the game. The Dutchmen would turn a double play on a grounder to Mike Fitzsimmons (Ole Miss) to escape the inning without further damage.
The lead was widened to 2-0 in the third inning, as a Dutchmen miscue allowed an Amsterdam run to cross the plate. Brendan Tracy (Fairfield) recorded a single with one out, and advanced to second base on a steal. An infield single from Kirkpatrick and an errant throw allowed Tracy to score, giving the Mohawks a 2-0 advantage.
Amsterdam then scored for the third consecutive inning, plating another run in the fourth. Although Albany was able to neutralize a leadoff double by Holdsworth by gunning him trying to score, the Mohawks took a 3-0 lead on a sacrifice fly from Tracy, which allowed Riley Mahan (Kentucky) to score.
Amsterdam’s surge concluded in the fifth inning, as West drilled a pitch well over the right field wall for his second home run of the season, giving the Mohawks a four-run lead.
Albany’s relief pitching was effective against the Mohawks, as Zak Spivy (Polk State College) and Jesse Cooper (Seton Hill) worked 4.2 innings with just one run and three hits allowed. Albany’s offense was led by Eric Mueller (UAlbany), who recorded a pair of singles. Sean Aspinall also played well in right field, making three diving or sliding catches to rob Amsterdam batters of hits.
The Dutchmen stay on the road Wednesday, battling the Victor Railriders at 5:05. Albany will send Jake Welch (Notre Dame College) to the mound to attempt to get back in the win column.
Albany returns home to Bellizzi Field Thursday for a double header with the Saugerties Stallions. Thursday is the 5th annual Pink Game for American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen for a Cure. The Dutchmen will wear pink jerseys in game 2, to be auctioned off in addition to a huge raffle. Included in the prizes are four field level tickets at Yankee Stadium for a matchup with the Boston Red Sox. Thursday is also All-You-Can-Eat for $10 at Bellizzi Field.
