Chase Allen (Limestone) takes batting practice before a Dutchmen home game
July 17th, 2017
ALBANY, N.Y. - In week six of the season Chase Allen (Limestone) hit .500 (9-18) at the plate with a home run, two doubles, three runs, five RBIs and a walk and has been named the Spotlight Player of the Week.
Allen appeared in all six games the Dutchmen played in this week, beginning with a 3-5, one RBI, one run performance Monday, July 10th in Albany’s 17-7 win over the Blue Sox.
The third baseman increased his batting average by 48 points in week six and is now hitting .298 on the season. Allen says he’s made adjustments to his swing that has contributed to his recent success.
“[Coach] Davey was helping me out in the cage, having one on one time together and a I had a couple teammates video my at bats and noticed a few things in my swing, so I fixed that in the cages,” Allen said.
On Wednesday, Allen went 3-3 at the plate with a double, a run scored and a walk in an 8-4 victory over the Glens Falls. The following day against the same Dragons squad, Allen went 0-4 with his only two strikeouts of the week in a 3-7 Dutchmen loss.
Allen came off the bench in Friday’s 10-4 win over Amsterdam and went 1-1 with an RBI single. The following day against the Mohawks, Allen came into the game as a pinch hitter and flew out to left field.
Sunday’s 6-0 win over Saugerties was Allen’s best game of the week. The Sharpsburg, Georgia native went 2-4 at the plate with a double and a three run home run to cap off Albany’s four win week.
Allen finished the week with a slugging percentage of .778, Head Coach Nick Davey says Allen is the type of hitter that has pro potential.
“His lower half is very strong, he’s got really good bat speed and the ball just jumps of his bat you know that’s god given,” Davey said.
Allen is now tied for second on the team with nine doubles and is working on handling off speed pitches to elevate hit batting average into the 300’s.
“I’m really going to work on focusing on taking the off speed pitches that are in the dirt, I tend to swing at those a little too much, so I’m going to work on seeing the ball down and taking those pitches,” Allen said.
The Limestone product is a big fan of Dutchmen home games, because he gets to spend time with the Phillip’s Hardware Baseball Buddies.
“You never see a kid that’s in a bad mood when they’re on the field with us,” Allen said. “I think it makes their day and it sometimes makes ours.”
Allen will be participating in the home run derby Tuesday in Amsterdam as a part of the All-Star day festivities. First pitch for the derby is set for 5:35p.m.
