LITTLE FALLS, NY—Taking advantage of Mohawk Valley’s fill in catcher, the Albany Dutchmen (20-24) stole 12 bases, igniting the offense and running past the Diamond Dawgs (25-18) 9-5 in Little Falls.
The Dutchmen struck first in the top of the 1st, plating Jack Weiller (Virginia) on a double steal with Zach Remillard (Coastal Carolina) getting tagged out at second after the first run of the game crossed the plate.
Andrew Turner (LIU Brooklyn) did his best to fill in tonight after recent injuries decimated the catching position for Mohawk Valley. Albany took advantage of both the 5 passed balls against the Diamond Dawg backstop, and his unfamiliarity in maintaining a running game.
Stealing at will, the Dutchmen were 14 for 15 in stolen base opportunities on the night.
On the mound for Albany, Gavin Wallace (Fairfield) continued his hot streak on the mound. In seven innings, Wallace scattered nine hits, relinquishing just three runs.
Down 1-0 in the bottom of the 2nd, Ryan Stekl (Canisius) launched a breaking ball over the centerfield fence, tying the contest. Mohawk Valley then took a 2-1 lead in their next at bat on an RBI single by Anthony Herrers (Louisiana-Monroe).
In their first two times through the order, the Dutchmen struggled mightily in figuring out the sidearm delivery of Marc Iseneker (St. Johns Fisher), but it was the bottom of the Dutchmen order that ignited the charge to start a productive 3rd turn though. Beginning with a Hunter Boose (Georgia Regents) walk and a single by Tom Moore (College of Saint Rose), an RBI groundout by Grayson Lewis (Rice) tied the game. Then, a ball tricking away from Turner brought home the leading run for the Dutchmen.
In the bottom of the 6th, ahead 3-2, Wallace dealt with Diamond Dawgs at first and third with nobody out. With Turner at the plate, Wallace induced a 1-6-3 double play, and in doing so, kept the tying run 90 feet away. Colin Hawk (Indianapolis) then poped out to short, ending the threat and keeping Albany ahead.
Albany then pushed across three runs in the 7th and 8th innings, both running wild on the base paths and making the most of a pair of Mohawk Valley miscues in the outfield. In the 7th it was Boose and Moore sparking the effort again with a single and a walk, respectively. Moore, the player of the game, finished the night with two singles, two RBI, two runs scored and even a stolen base from the 9th spot in the batting order.
Mohawk Valley pushed across two inconsequential runs in the 9th inning, falling 9-5 in favor of the Dutchmen.
The Dutchmen finish the road trip with their final bus trip of the regular season, heading to Boonville tomorrow for a contest with the Adirondack Trail Blazers. Albany returns to the Capital City on Monday for a contest with the Glens Falls Dragons, the last Subway Summer Series game in Albany. Monday will feature the recognition of the team’s eight Spotlight Players of the Week. The game will also allow kids to eat free at the ballpark with paid admission.
