The Albany Dutchmen only made one trip to the Robert S. Smith Sports Complex in Boonville, New York in the 2014 season.
Sean Aspinall (Azusa Pacific) was determined to make the most of it.
The outfielder drove in six runs in the doubleheader against the Adirondack Trail Blazers, and topped his week with a stellar performance in the PGCBL All-Star Game. For his efforts, Aspinall has been named the Spotlight Player of the Week for the second time this season. He becomes the first member of the 2014 Dutchmen to win the award twice.
The Upland, California native drove in three runs in each of the two games against the Trail Blazers, both Dutchmen victories. In the opener, Aspinall ripped an RBI double in the first inning, and clubbed a two-run single in the fifth inning. His three runs batted in accounted for the three run margin of victory in the 6-3 victory. Game Two saw Aspinall drill a pair of doubles, including one of the two-run variety in a seven-run second inning, as the Dutchmen rolled to an 8-3 victory over Adirondack.
Aspinall said he was able to see the ball well and made good contact in the victories in Boonville.
“That was a day where everything kind of fell into place,” Aspinall said. “I was seeing it really well, and I got lucky sometimes that the ball was falling in and I was getting my pitches.”
He also drove in the lone Albany run in a 2-1 loss to the Amsterdam Mohawks on July 11 at Bellizzi Field.
Aspinall played the final five innings of the PGCBL All-Star Game, and had a big impact in his time on the field. In his second at-bat, Aspinall came to the plate with the bases loaded, and found his way on base via a hit by pitch. The RBI proved to be the game-winning run in a 3-1 victory for the East All-Stars. Aspinall also showed his abilities in center field, making an outstanding diving catch to keep a no-hitter intact in the sixth inning.
The outfielder said the electric atmosphere in Elmira drove him to compete even harder.
“The atmosphere was great,” Aspinall said. “Being in a game that big brings the best out of you and makes you want to do things that you may not do in a regular game.”
The big week shot Aspinall to the top of most offensive categories for the Dutchmen. His .327 batting average, 17 runs scored, 18 RBIs, 35 hits, eleven extra-base hits, and seven stolen bases are all tops among Albany hitters. The ten doubles clubbed by Aspinall are tied for the most in the PGCBL.
The outfielder, who has started more games than any other Dutchmen player — save for Adam Lee (Lipscomb), who has started an identical 28 games — will look to continue his hot hitting as the Dutchmen enter a stretch that will be crucial in determining which three teams make the PGCBL Playoffs from the East Division, and what positions those teams will occupy.
