Cantine Field in Saugerties, N.Y. home of the Stallions
June 29th, 2017
SAUGERTIES, N.Y.- The Albany Dutchmen (12-8) scored eight unanswered runs to tie the game in what was an incredible comeback, but lost to the Saugerties Stallions (12-9) on a walk-off overthrow at third base in the bottom of the ninth.
Chris Villa (Seton Hall) launched a game tying homerun to left-center in the top of the ninth with two outs to tie the game at ten. That was the highlight of the Dutchmen’s improbable eight-run comeback facing a 10-2 deficit after six innings.
At least one run in each of the first five innings propelled the Saugerties Stallions to what seemed like insurmountable lead, but it took advantage of seven Dutchmen errors to outlast Albany by only one.
Jack Gonzalez (Stetson) drove in the first run of the game for Saugerties in the first with a single. He finished the game with two RBIs thanks to his leadoff homerun to jumpstart the Stallions three-run third.
Saugerties had five players with multi-hit games. Luke Petterson (Minnesota) scored three times and had four hits, including a single through the right side on the winning play for Saugerties. Tyler Kelder (St. Bonaventure) also had an impressive night for the Stallions with three hits and two runs scored of his own.
The Dutchmen did briefly hold a one-run lead after scoring two in the second inning. Back-to-back doubles by Griffen Herrera (Azusa Pacific) and Jon Skidmore (Dallas Baptist) tied the game. Herrera scored on an error later in the inning.
Mike Pepio (East Stroudsburg) started for the Dutchmen and was not able to extend his perfect streak further than it stood at the beginning of the game, 6.1 innings. The first two Stallions hitters reached on errors and the third reached on a wild strike-three. The fortune did not change for Pepio for the remainder of his outing. He went three innings in total, allowing seven runs (five earned) on seven hits. He did not walk a batter, and struck out three.
Mark Meyer (Marshall) started and was unable to earn his first win of the season due to the comeback. He went six innings allowing two earned runs on four hits. He struck out seven Dutchmen hitters while walking only one. Despite blowing the save and allowing the game-tying homerun, Matthew Pushard (Maine) got the win for Saugerties.
Jack Grabek (Bucknell) held the Stallions at ten in his three innings in relief for the Dutchmen. He allowed just one batter to reach (walk), and faced the minimum thanks to a double-play in the seventh. Matt Pierce (Siena) came in to pitch the ninth and was credited with the loss.
Despite reaching base twice and registering an RBI, Brad Gneiting (Rice) went hitless for the Dutchmen in five plate appearances. The effort ended his seven-game hitting streak.
The win shrunk the Dutchmen’s lead in the standings to just half a game over Saugerties for third in the East Division. The Amsterdam Mohawks (17-6) won again over the Oneonta Outlaws (12-9), their eleventh in a row. They now hold a 3.5 game lead over the Dutchmen in the division.
The Dutchmen hope to turn it around Friday when they play the Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs (14-6) on the road. Mohawk Valley has a two-game cushion in the division for second place.
Albany returns home Saturday afternoon at 5:05 for a game against the Oneonta Outlaws. Saturday is Werner Ladder Night at the ballpark with ladders being given away throughout the night. The team will also celebrate the mascot’s birthday. Dave & Buster’s Street Team and CSEA Member VIP Night will cap the promotions for Saturday.
