Dutchmen stand for the national anthem prior to today's doubleheader against the Utica Blue Sox
July 21st, 2017
ALBANY, N.Y. – Coming off of a doubleheader sweep against Mohawk Valley, the Albany Dutchmen (25-15) split the twin bill versus the Utica Blue Sox (13-26) by winning game one 6-3 and losing game two 3-2.
In game one, the storyline was Teddy Paisley (Virginia). The right hander delivered a complete game, going all seven innings, scattering six hits while striking out four batters. Paisley allowed three runs, but received enough run support to win and improve his season record to 1-1.
The offense began in the third inning for the Dutchmen. Following a leadoff double by Colin Kaucher (Ohio Dominican) and a walk by Jon Skidmore (Dallas Baptist), Blue Sox pitcher Brandon McNerney (RPI) proceeded to balk the runners into scoring position and delivered Kaucher on a wild pitch for the first run of the ballgame. Brad Gneiting (Rice) followed with an RBI single to score Skidmore. McNerney would exit later in the inning with an apparent arm injury. Nick Gallo (Oklahoma State) greeted relief pitcher Brent Kessinger (North Park) with another run scoring single.
Albany was far from finished. In the fourth inning, Kaucher hit a one out single, which was followed by Skidmore’s first home run of the season, coming off of Kessinger to extend the lead to 5-0.
Utica tried to fight back in the fifth, scoring two runs with an RBI double by Devon Garcia (Ohio) off of Paisley, and a run scoring single by Rob Andreoli (LIU Post).
The Dutchmen responded to stop any momentum for the Blue Sox, using an Adam Elliot single to bring the lead to 6-2.
The Blue Sox scored the final run of the game in the seventh on an RBI single by Jimmy Mendyk (LIU Post) with two outs, but they were unable to rally any further, as Paisley retired Chris Skermo (Lackawanna) on a fly out to end the first game of the doubleheader.
Albany was unable to complete a second straight doubleheader sweep, as Dino Ferrarese (Dominican) baffled the Dutchmen for 6.2 innings, striking out five and working around five walks and four hits to pick up the win.
The Dutchmen had a chance to steal the win in the seventh and final inning. After Ferrarese recorded the first two outs of the inning, Albany began to rally. Gallo walked on four pitches, and Griffen Herrera (Azusa Pacific) also battled his way to a walk after a long at bat. Austin Salnitis (Central Connecticut State) replaced Ferrarese and struck out pinch hitter Justin Childers (Ohio Dominican) to end the game and record a save.
The Blue Sox played from in front early on, tallying two runs in the first inning on an RBI double by Garcia and a run scoring single by Zane Harris (Wright State) off of Dutchmen starter Jeremiah Burke (Georgetown).
Albany scored a single run in both the second and third innings, as Zach Durfee (Siena) hit an RBI double to deliver Skidmore for the first Dutchmen run of the ball game. Chase Allen (Limestone) blasted his third home run of the season to tie the game in the third inning.
Utica scored what turned out to be the deciding run in the fourth inning. Evan Lee (Ashland) drew a leadoff walk and was followed by Ryan Sargent’s (Ohio) RBI double to give the Blue Sox a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish.
The Dutchmen return home on Sunday, following Saturday’s off day to take on the Saugerties Stallions. It will be Phillip’s Hardware Night at Siena Field and the first pitch will be at 5:05 p.m.
Player Of The Game Interview
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Box Score Game 1
Box Score Game 2
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