Gavin Wallace (Fairfield) throws over to first.
The Albany Dutchmen dropped a heartbreaker, surrendering a run in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Amsterdam Mohawks claimed a 3-2 victory at Shuttleworth Park in Amsterdam on Saturday night.
The Mohawks struck quickly in the bottom of the first inning, scoring a pair of runs. Riley Mahan (Kentucky) singled to right field, and Craig Dedelow (Indiana) drilled a line drive over the wall in right for a two-run home run, giving Amsterdam a 2-0 edge. A single from Hunter Tackett (Auburn) tried to extend the onslaught with a single, but was thrown out for just the second time this year by Dominic DiCaprio (Rice).
Albany answered with a run in the top of the second, cutting the Mohawks lead to 2-1. DiCaprio drew a leadoff walk, and moved over to third on a single from Adam Gauthier (Dartmouth). Jesse Cooper (Seton Hill) drove in the run with a groundout that deflected off pitcher Brad Schaenzer (Kentucky). Jack Weiller (Virginia) drew a walk to put a go-ahead run on base, but Albany could not capitalize with runners on first and third.
Stellar efforts from starters Schaenzer and Gavin Wallace (Fairfield) kept the game 2-1 until the top of the sixth inning. After the first two hitters of the frame were retired, Michael Fitzsimmons (Ole Miss) crushed a ball over the left field fence for his second home run of the season to tie the game at two. The homer was Fitzsimmons’ 28th RBI of the season, tying him with 2010 Dutchmen and current Mets minor leaguer Jon Leroux for the third highest single-season total in team history.
Wallace kept the game tied in the bottom of the seventh inning, working out of a jam with runners on first and third with one out. Aidan McDermott (St. John’s) attempted to lie down a safety squeeze bunt, but Wallace tossed home and retired Tyler Kirkpatrick (Marist) trying to score. A leaping catch from Jesse Cooper (Seton Hill) ended the frame.
However, the Mohawks plated the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Tackett singled with one out, but was forced out at second on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Justin Yurchak (Binghamton). Yurchak stole second base, and an errant throw to second on the steal sent the cleanup hitter to third. The errant throw was overrun in center field, allowing Yurchak to score what proved to be the winning run.
Kyle Smith (NC State) retired the final six Dutchmen hitters, earning the win for the Mohawks, his third. Wallace, who allowed just two earned runs, took a tough-luck loss.
Sunday is an off day for the Albany Dutchmen, leading into Monday’s PGCBL All-Star Game. Mike Reitcheck (Penn), Nick Cioffi (Towson) and Zach Remillard (Coastal Carolina) will represent the team in the game, while Slayton Vaughan (Oral Roberts) will participate in the PGCBL Home Run Derby.
Albany returns to Bellizzi Field Tuesday for a doubleheader with the Saugerties Stallions . Accompanying the 5:05 start is Senior Citizen Night at the ballpark. It is also 2 for 2uesday at Bellizzi Field.
