Colin Kaucher (Ohio Dominican)
Throughout the history of the Albany Dutchmen, veteran players from smaller schools have been a major part of the franchise's success. Players from schools at the Division II, III, NAIA, and junior college levels have been integral parts of Albany teams from 2009 through the most recent edition.The Dutchmen are pleased to announce the signing of two players that will hopefully continue that success; Chase Allen (Limestone College) and Colin Kaucher (Ohio Dominican).
Chase Allen comes to the Dutchmen from Limestone College, a Division II program in South Carolina. Allen, a native of Sharpsburg, Georgia, put up major power numbers in his second season with the Saints. The infielder belted 17 home runs and drove in 47 runs while hitting .343. He was recently named by NCAA.com as one of the best home run hitters in DII baseball (story). Allen also led the Saints in doubles with 14, and was named First Team All-Conference Carolinas for his efforts. He was an everyday starter at Limestone, playing in 45 of the team's 47 games. Limestone won 22 regular season games in 2017, and went 18-11 at their home ballpark. Allen brings a powerful bat to the 2017 Dutchmen roster, and can be expected to be a mainstay in the middle of the order.
Colin Kaucher will join teammate and reigning Albany Player of the Year Justin Childers on the Dutchmen roster for the coming season. A sophomore catcher also named First Team All-Conference, Kaucher has been in the starting lineup for nearly every game of his college career. This season, he has recorded a .357 batting average, second on the team only to Childers. Kaucher has also logged 15 doubles in his sophomore campaign, and has belted two home runs. The newest Dutchmen is also a reliable presence behind the plate, having caught eight runners stealing this season. Ohio Dominican is entering the final weekend series of the regular season with a 24-21 record, including a 15-13 mark in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. With Kaucher on the roster for the 2017 roster, the Dutchmen have signed a catcher who can produce both behind and at the plate.
The Albany Dutchmen are excited to have Allen and Kaucher on the roster for the upcoming 2017 season. Both players provide veteran leadership and a track record of proven success to the ballclub. Dutchmen head coach Nick Davey will look to these players to carry the load early, while other Dutchmen with fewer in-season appearances get into a rhythm.
