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Ben Seiler (Siena) named Week Three Player of the Week Sponsored by CDSF

Ben Seiler (Siena) has been named the Player of the Week sponsored by CDSF. Seiler is off to an unbelievable start in 2021, as the third year Dutchmen pitcher ranks fourth in the PGCBL with a 0.87 ERA across 20.2 innings of work in which he has struck out 22 and allowed just 10 hits. Seiler went 5 no hit innings with 5 strikeouts in his start on 6/19 against Glens Falls, and threw 6 shutout innings while allowing 5 hits and punching out 8 in his most recent start on 6/25 against Mohawk Valley. Seiler has not allowed a run in three of his four starts on the year, a feat that he credits to his preparation.

“Preparation has been the biggest thing that I’ve tried to pride myself on early in the year, coming to the field everyday and getting my work in and trusting my process, if you put in the work throughout the week you have to expect that you’ll pitch well on your night,” Seiler said.

Consistency has helped Seiler this year, he was in and out of the bullpen during his school season, but knowing which days he will get the ball has helped Seiler tremendously this summer.

“It’s been good to get back in that starting groove and knowing what I need to do each day to be successful on the days that I pitch. Coach Davey does a great job communicating with pitchers and letting them know when they’re pitching so they can prepare their bodies and be at peak performance on their days,” said Seiler.

Coach Davey had high expectations of Seiler going into the season and is very pleased with the start Seiler has been off to.

“Seiler’s been everything you would expect a third year returner in the PGCBL to be, he’s gone out and competed and given us a chance to win in every game he’s pitched. His velocity is up and he’s throwing strikes and he’s showing why he’s a top of our rotation type of guy,” Davey said.

Interestingly enough, Seiler does not feel that how he feels in warm ups will be how he feels in game, it is actually quite the opposite for the Siena lefty.

“(Before the five innings of no hit outing) In the bullpen I felt pretty terrible, some of my best outings are when my bullpens aren’t too great, I got out there and stuff was falling into place and keeping hitters off balance is important,” said Seiler.

After a good first pitch to start the first inning and a deep breath on the mound Seiler is in go mode from there.

“Adrenaline usually picks up when you go out on the field, you don’t really have that in the bullpen but then when you take the mound you just remind yourself that I’ve been here before,” said Seiler.

Seiler’s mound presence and the pace at which he works at is something that easily sticks out to any Dutchmen fan, as Seiler wastes no time between pitches. Seiler’s fast pace on the mound not only gives opposing hitters less time to think and make mid at bat adjustments, but it also keeps fans and teammates engaged as well. 

“I’ve always liked to work fast on the mound, it keeps your position players involved in the game more and they like it because they get in the dugout to hit faster, I like it because I’m getting guys guys out quicker and it keeps a good pace and keeps everybody involved,” Seiler said.

Seiler is quickly becoming a familiar face to Dutchmen fans who attend games at Dutchmen Field at Keenholts Park, as all four of Seiler’s starts have come at home, a place that he is quickly becoming fond of.

“I love it there (Keenholts), that mound is perfect, the atmosphere is great, and I love seeing all the people from Guilderland and from Albany coming out and doing Baseball Buddies and just hanging out with everybody is awesome,” said Seiler.

Seiler has had an amazing first four starts and has set the bar high for himself early but he has plans to continue his domination on the mound for the Dutchmen.

“Just staying within myself and trusting my work and trusting my craft, and attacking every week like it's a new week but at the same time building off that confidence that I’ve been getting from my past four starts,” Seiler said.

Albany gets back to action on Tuesday, June 28th against the Saugerties Stallions at home scheduled for a 6:35 first pitch.