Albany, N.Y. – The Albany Dutchmen (10-4) lost their third game in four contests Wednesday night with a 6-4 loss to the Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs (9-8).
The Dutchmen committed four errors and gave up two unearned runs to Mohawk Valley, who took the lead in the 4th inning and never looked back.
The first three innings were a pitcher’s duel between Albany’s Kyle Pheland (Salve Regina) and Mohawk Valley’s Michael DeCarlo (Herkimer County CC). Both pitchers gave up just one hit in the first three innings, and the game was scoreless until the 4th.
Mohawk Valley broke the tie in the 4th inning after a Jordan Serena (Columbia) leadoff double. Dalton Herrington (Louisiana Monroe) then grounded to Joe Purritano (Dartmouth) at first base, who mishandled the ball and then threw wide of the pitcher covering. Serena was able to score on the error, giving the DiamondDawgs a 1-0 lead.
Mohawk Valley struck again in the 6th, scoring three runs. Herrington scored on a Willie Shaw (William & Mary) base hit, and Shaw later scored on an errant throw to first base by the pitcher, Pheland. The DiamondDawgs added another run via a Brett Zaziski (Vassar) sacrifice fly.
Trailing 4-0 in the bottom of the 6th inning, the Dutchmen responded with three runs of their own. After the first two batters got on, Purritano knocked in Anthony Marks (Coastal Carolina) with a base hit, and Jack Wietlispach (Niagara) scored Brad Noland (North Alabama) on a sac fly.
Then with Zach Remillard (Coastal Carolina) on first and Purritano on third, Remillard attempted to steal second base, inducing a throw from Mohawk Valley catcher Craig Lepre (Albany). Purritano scored from third before the ball was thrown back home from second base, making the score 4-3 through 6 innings.
Mohawk Valley added insurance runs in both the 7th and 9th innings, making the score 6-3 in the bottom of the 9th inning. The first three Dutchmen batters reached base in the 9th and Noland had an RBI single to make the score 6-4. But the Dutchmen were unable to score again, and the 9th inning rally was halted.
DeCarlo got the win, improving his record to 1-2, and Pheland picked up his first loss of the season, moving his record to 2-1. Tyler Bray (Louisiana Monroe) also picked up his second save of the season.
The Dutchmen will be home once again Thursday night when they host the Adirondack Trail Blazers (6-9). Thursday is “Senior’s Night” at Bob Bellizzi Field, featuring reduced ticket prices and free coffee and cookies for seniors.
