(ALBANY, NY)-- Nick Schwartz (SNHU) has been named the Generation Land Management Player of the Week for Week Five (7/4/22-7/10/22). The Massapequa native went 7-15 with two doubles, three RBIs, three walks, and no strikeouts.
Last summer, Schwartz saw plenty of success with the Dutchmen as his .340 average led him to 2021 PGCBL First Team honors, but it was more than just on-field production that led to his decision to return to the Capital Region.
“Coach Davey’s great, he respects us and lets us do what we have to do, when my school coach let me pick between returning to Albany or finding a new spot, I have a great setup here and decided Albany was the best spot to come to,” Schwartz said.
Through the first couple of weeks Schwartz’s numbers were not great, but they were not reflective of the quality at bats he put up and Schwartz did not feel he had been struggling.
“I’ve been on every ball, a lot of hard contact, at first they weren’t falling for me but that can only happen for a certain amount of time, I’ve been sticking to my approach and trusting myself and I’ve been stringing together some hits now,” Schwartz said.
Southern New Hampshire is one of three schools (in addition to Fairfield and Marist) that have a trio of players representing the institution this summer on the Dutchmen roster. Schwartz, now heading into his Redshirt Junior year at SNHU, sees this summer as an opportunity not only for himself to succeed, but also as a chance to help his school teammates Zach Ranney and Frankie Sanchez, who both just wrapped up their freshmen campaigns.
“Zach and Frankie are younger guys that need the experience, Albany’s a great spot for them to get started and for me to take them under my wing and show them how to do certain things, it’s good that they’re here and will continue to learn,” Schwartz said.
In terms of his personal success, Schwartz gives credit to his mentality at the plate and not trying to do too much in the batter's box.
“I’ve been sticking to my approach and knowing what I know how to do, not getting out of my comfort zone or trying to be a type of player that I’m not, last summer I stuck to that and it helped me get to where I need to be,” Schwartz said.
As the Dutchmen now find themselves more than halfway through the season and in second place in the East, Schwartz and the squad will look to distance themselves from the middle of the pack this upcoming week.
“As a team we need to continue to play together and pick each other up, personally I’d like to continue to stick to my approach and teach the younger guys some little things that will help them get better,” Schwartz said.
Albany returns to action Monday, July 11th at Amsterdam for a 6:35 first pitch.
