Justin Curry (Heartland CC) didn’t toe the rubber for the Albany Dutchmen until June 29, in the second game of a doubleheader with the Adirondack Trail Blazers.
But even with his late start, Curry has proven that he will be a pivotal part of the Dutchmen rotation in the final month of the season.
He has tossed eleven innings without allowing an earned run for the Dutchmen, and his two scoreless outings in the past seven days earned him the honor of being named the Spotlight Player of the Week for the past week, the fifth Dutchmen player selected.
Curry worked a scoreless eighth inning in the Albany loss to Elmira on July 5, and allowed just two hits and two unearned runs in a no decision start against the Amsterdam Mohawks on July 8.
Curry, who was coming off an injury, said he used his starts as an opportunity to get back on the mound and work himself into top condition.
“Coming out of rehab, I really wanted to just get back into the flow of things,” Curry said. “I wanted to get my mechanics back down and work in slowly.”
His season started as well as possible, as he did not allow a hit in his first start back on June 29. The Dutchmen took a no-hitter into the sixth of seven innings that night, eventually claiming a 10-1 victory with Curry picking up the win. The team as a whole has improved since Curry’s first start, going 4-4 after a 2-9 stretch.
Over his three appearances, he has struck out ten hitters and allowed just three hits. Only one pitcher in the PGCBL has more innings pitched without allowing an earned run.
In the collegiate season, the West Point, Indiana native, made eight appearances with three starts for Heartland CC. He struck out 30 hitters over his 26.1 innings, and sported a 4-2 record with a 3.76 ERA.
His Heartland Hawks were ranked as high as No. 6 among Division 2 junior college teams, and were ranked in the top 50 among all junior college teams by Perfect Game USA.
The Albany Dutchmen have been at their best when getting quality starts from their pitchers — the Dutchmen are 14-2 when allowing four or fewer runs, and 0-12 when allowing six or more. If Curry can continue his hot start, he will continue to give Albany chances to win when he is on the mound.
