The Albany Dutchmen needed big performances to clinch the final PGCBL playoff spot in the final days of the regular season.
And Nick Jewett (Trinity University) provided them.
The first baseman reached base twice in Albany’s 4-1 victory over Glens Falls on Saturday, a victory that gave Albany the lead for that final spot. He also put together a monster game against the Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs on Sunday, a game that would ultimately prove to put the Dutchmen in the playoffs.
Jewett was the Dutchmen’s starting first baseman for four of the six games — he was the designated hitter in the win over Glens Falls — this week, and proved to be a huge asset in the middle of the Dutchmen order.
His week was at its best in Albany’s 16-4 victory over Mohawk Valley in Little Falls on Sunday. In the game, Jewett went 3-for-5, driving in five runs. His first two runs batted in came on a double in the top of the fourth inning. His day ended on the highest of notes, when he clubbed his first home run of the year, a three-run shot to center to finish the Albany scoring in the top of the ninth inning. Jewett’s home run was the fourth hit by the Dutchmen at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Little Falls.
Jewett also added a hit in Albany’s victory over the Amsterdam Mohawks on Wednesday night, after being given the night off on Tuesday against Glens Falls.
The Trinity University infielder finished the regular season fourth on the Dutchmen in batting average among players with at least 60 at bats, recording a .248 mark. His 21 runs batted in placed second on the team, behind only team Player of the Year Sean Aspinall (Azusa Pacific). He has shown an ability to get runs in from third base, as he has nine hits in 15 at bats with a runner on third and less than two outs.
He also added a .353 slugging percentage, the second best on the roster, and his three triples finished tied for the PGCBL lead along with four other players, including teammate Will Miller (College of the Albemarle).
The Dutchmen will need more clutch performances as the PGCBL Playoffs kick off on Thursday with the one-game East Division Semifinals in Little Falls against the Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs, and Jewett will be looked to as a run producer in key situations.
