Despite an 0-4 week for the Albany Dutchmen, the play of leadoff hitting infielder Grayson Lewis has been a bright spot for the team, as the Rice Owl amassed six hits in 14 at-bats hitting at the top of the Dutchmen order.
For his efforts hitting in the top spot for the Dutchmen, Lewis has been named the team’s fourth Spotlight Player of the Week. He joins Michael Fitzsimmons (Ole Miss), Mike Reitcheck (Pennsylvania), and Zach Remillard (Coastal Carolina) as this season’s honorees.
Lewis reached base in all four games this past week, and is currently riding a nine-game on base streak. During the week, he created at least one run in every game, driving in three runs and scoring five.
During Wednesday’s doubleheader with Glens Falls, Lewis went 1-for-4 with three runs scored in the opening game, and then went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a run batted in in the nightcap. He also reached base and scored in the loss at Glens Falls, and recorded two hits in a pinch-hitting role against the Adirondack Trail Blazers on Friday.
Lewis said the Dutchmen can begin to string wins together by producing in the biggest moments of games, and expressed his confidence that he and his teammates are more than up to the task.
“I think it’s all about getting hits in clutch situations, with runners in scoring position,” Lewis said. “It’s one of the toughest things in baseball, and no doubt about it, that’s going to come. We just have to come in everyday with a good attitude and put it all together.”
In his 13 games with Albany, Lewis has hit .310 with nine runs scored and five runs batted in, stealing three bases and recording two extra base hits. The infielder was a late arrival to the Dutchmen, as his Rice Owls advanced to Regional play in the NCAA Tournament. Lewis made 22 starts at Rice, and was named to the All-Houston Regional team for his play during the postseason. His Regional efforts included being on base four times in Rice’s 20-inning victory over rival Houston.
Lewis has entrenched himself as Albany’s everyday leadoff hitter, and has played multiple positions in the infield for the Dutchmen, who enter July in a four-team race for the second and third playoff spots in the PGCBL East. Lewis is expected to be a major part of Albany’s playoff push over the second half of the season.
