In a week where the Albany Dutchmen gained ground in the race for a spot in the PGCBL playoff chase, the play of Zach Remillard (Coastal Carolina) was critical, as the Chanticleer drove in eight runs, including an RBI in five consecutive games.
The Cohoes native, who is riding a ten-game on-base streak, has been named the team’s Spotlight Player of the Week for the second time this season, the first player to win the award twice in the 2015 season. Over the past three seasons, only three players have won the award twice in a season- current Tampa Bay Rays prospect Matt Dacey in 2013, Sean Aspinall (Azusa Pacific) in 2014, and now Remillard.
Remillard started the week with one hit each in two Albany losses to Amsterdam and a Dutchmen loss to the Victor Railriders. He then began a streak of five consecutive games with a run batted in during the Dutchmen’s six-inning victory over the Saugerties Stallions at home on Thursday. The Chanitlcceer clubbed a ground-rule double over the wall of Bellizzi Field, driving in the first run of the game in a 3-0 victory.
The next night, Remillard clubbed a pair of hits, including one of his five doubles on the week. The double against the Dragons drove in the final run of the night, as Albany fell 17-8 to Glens Falls.
The major offensive power for the third-year Dutchmen erupted in a doubleheader sweep of the Saugerties Stallions. Remillard recorded an RBI double in the first inning, and then drilled a two-run homer to centerfield of Cantine Park, giving Albany a 3-0 lead they would not relinquish. The homer was Remillard’s first of the season. The designated hitter also drove in a run in the back half of the twin bill, via sacrifice fly.
His week concluded with a two-hit effort in a 7-6 victory on the road against the Utica Brewers. A double and a single, both driving in runs, accounted for Remillard’s run production in the win. His RBI double was the 60th run he has driven in wearing an Albany Dutchmen uniform, a record that is far and away the most in team history.
In total, Remillard hit .417 on the week with eight runs batted in and a home run. He also stole two bases and scored six runs. His season average rose to .333, the best mark on the Dutchmen roster.
The stellar week for Remillard made apparent his claim for a spot on the PGCBL All-Star team, and his ability in the middle of the Dutchmen order will be much needed entering the final weeks of the season.
