Cooperstown, N.Y. – The Albany Dutchmen (21-14) split a non-traditional doubleheader with the Cooperstown Hawkeyes (13-20) on Friday afternoon. Albany lost a resumed game from June 30th 6-2, and won the regularly scheduled 9-inning game 4-3 at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown.
The Dutchmen were led by Matt Dacey (Richmond), who had three home runs on the day and two in the second game of the doubleheader.
The resumed game from June 30th started in the bottom of the 4th inning with Cooperstown leading the Dutchmen 3-1. Jimmy Davitt (Bryant) took over on the hill for the Dutchmen in place of June 30th starter Bryan Carr (Saint Rose), while Eann Cox (Black Hawk) picked up where he left off and returned to the hill after originally starting the game three weeks ago.
Cooperstown extended its lead in the 6th inning when Ben Hall (Central Alabama C.C.) came around to score, giving the Hawkeyes a 4-1 lead. But the Dutchmen didn’t score any runs until the 9th inning, due in large part to Cooperstown starter Eann Cox, who continued his fantastic start by striking out five in the resumed game and adding to his original total of nine strikeouts through the first four innings.
Cox ended up with 14 total strikeouts in the game, and improved his record to 5-0 after going the complete game and picking up the win.
Cooperstown added two more unearned runs in the 8th after a Dutchmen throwing error, while Albany’s Matt Dacey chipped in with a solo home run in the 9th. In the end Cooperstown got the win 6-2 in the resumed game, with Cox getting the win and Carr (3-2) picking up the loss.
Game two of the doubleheader was paced by another great start from Dylan Collett (Keene State). Collett allowed his only run of the game in the 1st inning, and went on to pitch seven total innings, giving up just six hits and walking two.
The Dutchmen trailed 1-0 until the 5th inning, when an error allowed Luke Nethaway (St. Rose) to score and Brad Noland (North Alabama) scored Anthony Marks (Coastal Carolina) on an RBI single. The Dutchmen added another run in the 6th with Dacey’s first solo homer of the game, giving Albany a 3-1 lead. Dacey added another home run in the top of the 9th inning to give the Dutchmen a comfortable 4-1 lead entering the home half of the 9th.
But the 9th was anything but comfortable for the Dutchmen, as the first three batters reached on a walk and two singles off reliever Chad Moss (Davidson). With a 4-2 lead, Albany turned to closer Thomas Belcher (Indiana), who came in with no outs and runners on first and third. Cooperstown’s Ryan Hanahan (Marietta) executed a suicide squeeze to score Bryce Anglin (Wofford) from third and make the score 4-3.
After an intentional walk put runners on first and second with one out, Cooperstown’s Ryan Donovan (Hofstra) hit a line drive to Derrick Armstrong (Mississippi St.) in right field. Armstrong made the catch and fired the ball into Matt Dacey at first base, doubling off the runner and ending the game.
Albany won the game 4-3, with Dylan Collett picking up his second win and Belcher picking up his fourth save of the season.
The Dutchmen are next in action tomorrow night at Bob Bellizzi Field for a doubleheader with the Amsterdam Mohawks (20-15). There will be Yankee Trails Baseball Bingo, and someone will win a trip for two to the New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers game on August 10th at Yankee Stadium! Saturday is also PGCBL All Star Recognition Night, with first pitch at 5:05 PM.
