Ever since the franchise’s first season, the Albany Dutchmen have had a longstanding relationship with the local colleges. Athletes who spend their academic years in the Albany area have consistently been a strong presence in the blue and orange Dutchmen uniforms during the summer months. The tradition will continue in 2013, as the Dutchmen signed a pair of local collegiate arms: Ed Lewicki of Siena College and Bryan Carr from The College of Saint Rose.

A sophomore from Arlington, Vermont, Lewicki came to Siena after an impressive career at Burr & Burrton Academy. The team MVP and captain, Lewicki was an All-League selection, while also starring in soccer and hockey. A consistent pitcher with impeccable control and poise, Lewicki immediately established imself in the Saints bullpen as a freshman. He led the team with a 2.21 ERA, while registering a 4-2 record in 20 appearances and 40.2 innings of work. Over that time, Lewicki walked only nine batters, limiting opponents to a .258 batting average and compiling six straight scoreless appearances in conference play, which helped him to a 1.65 ERA in the MAAC.

The sophomore season has been no different for Lewicki. Now switching between the bullpen and a starting role, Lewicki is second on the team with a 2.67 ERA in 30.1 innings pitched. He’s walked seventeen batters, struck out twenty, and allowed only four extra base hits on the way to compiling a 1-1 record.

A local Albany product, the left-handed Carr came to St. Rose after an equally successfully career at Albany High School. He helped lead the Falcons to a conference championship in 2010 and was a First Team All-League selection during his senior season. Expected to compete out of the bullpen as a freshman, Carr pitched well enough to earn himself a spot in the rotation by mid-season. He was able to finish the year with a 3-3 record, 4.10 ERA and a 2:1 strikeout to walk ratio over 41.2 innings.

Now a fixture in the rotation, Carr has picked up where he left off in 2012. He currently leads the Golden Knights with a 3.30 ERA over his eight starts. He’s limiting opponents to a .263 batting average against and has struck out 30 batters in his 43.2 innings of work. Coming off a strong performance against Stonehill in which he struck out seven and allowed three runs in 7.1 innings, Carr looks to continue to provide a steady influence in the Knights starting rotation.

With both arms proving to be incredibly versatile and consistently effective, the Dutchmen are hopeful that another summer can be spent getting continuous production out of the incredible local collegiate talent.