SAUGERTIES, N.Y. – The Albany Dutchmen (20-14) comeback falls short as they score two runs in the ninth but lose by one to the Saugerties Stallions (19-16) 7-6.
The pitching matchup was a rematch from July 12th between Saugerties’ Billy Black (Columbia) and Albany’s Billy Price (Virginia). Both starters had strong outings for their teams, with Price going 4.2 innings, allowing three runs and striking out three. Black went six innings, allowing three runs on four hits and striking out four.
The teams opened the scoring by trading runs in the second inning. The Dutchmen took the early lead after a Parker Noland (Vanderbilt) groundout brought home Tommy Pellis (Seton Hill). The Stallions plated a run after Will Duff (Vanderbilt) made an errant throw from the second base bag trying to convert a double play.
“He went a little too fast for himself,” said Dutchmen Head Coach Nick Davey. “High school kids tend to play fast than letting the game come to them.”
Albany responded with a two-run top of the third after Aaron Roose (Azuza Pacific) delivered an RBI double and Pellis scored Roose with an infield single. Saugerties responded with two runs in the fourth and fifth. The third and tying run came off the bat of Hayden Travinski (LSU) who struck a single to left field. That would be the last pitch thrown by Price, as he exited the game with the score tied at three.
“Price probably made a couple of pitches he wants back,” said Davey. “But overall he was good and kept us in the game tonight”
In the seventh Duff redeemed the error with an RBI single to left to restore the Dutchmen lead. The Stallions immediately responded after Travinski punched another two-out RBI single to left.
Saugerties broke the game open in the eight. The Stallions loaded the bases after two singles and a third error committed by Duff. Tyler Kelder (St. Bonaventure) got his first hit of the day to drive home two to give the Stallions their first lead of the game. Travinski added his third RBI with another single to give Saugerties a 7-4 lead. All three runs were scored with two outs.
PGCBL East All-Star Henry Funaro (UMass Lowell) came on in the top of the ninth to try and earn his eighth save of the season. Luke Franzoni (Xavier) walked and moved to second after a sacrifice bunt from Mike Handal (Fairfield). After a Duff strikeout, the Dutchmen were down to their final out.
Chris Seng (Louisville) prolonged the inning with a four-pitch walk and advanced to second after a wild pitch. With a 1-2 count on Roose, the catcher chopped a ball to short and the ball went under the hand of Carlo Mancillas (Webber International). Franzoni and Seng scored to pull Albany within one run with the tying run on base. The next batter, Justin Bench (Ole Miss), flew out to shortstop to end the game.
“We grinded tonight but didn’t do enough to win tonight,” said Davey. “We have to put all the facets of our game together and when we do, we are fine.”
Albany’s next game is a doubleheader on Saturday, July 20th at home versus the Glens Falls Dragons (11-26). For tickets and more information, visit dutchmenbaseball.com.
