Injury cuts game short, Amsterdam beats Albany 8-0
LOUDONVILLE — Having a half game lead on the Albany Dutchmen, the Amsterdam Mohawks took the field at Connors Park to prove that they are the best team in the East. They scored eight runs in the first seven innings before the game got called because Jake Hammon (Morehead State) was hit in the head by a pitch, suffering a serious injury.
The Amsterdam Mohawks got off to a strong start when Elvis Peralta (Marshall College) hit a triple to right field during the second at bat of the game. Michael Ludowig (Wake Forest University) came up to bat next and grounded out at first, allowing Peralta to score from third.
The Mohawks got another opportunity in the top of the third when Hammon started off the inning with a single. Hammon stole second base and advanced to third when the catcher Jerry Huntzinger (Seton Hall University) threw the ball out into centerfield. A putout at first would score Hammon and the Mohawks got a two-run lead through three innings.
The Dutchmen got sloppy in the fifth inning after Michael Ludowig got on first base with two outs. Ludowig would steal on the fifth pitch of the at bat, but Huntzinger again overthrew the second baseman and Ludowig advanced to third. Then in an attempt to catch the runner at third, the centerfielder Brandon Seltzer (Palm Beach Atlantic University) threw the ball into the Amsterdam dugout, which sent Ludowig home, giving Amsterdam a 3-0 lead.
Disaster struck for the Dutchmen in the sixth inning as their poor play cost them five runs. The Dutchmen fielders amassed three errors, one each by the first baseman, catcher and pitcher. Adding those to three hits by Richie Barrella (Manhattan College), Justin Foscue (Mississippi State University), and Hammon. The Mohawk lead went from 3-0 to 8-0 in that frame.
Zane Stephens (Mississippi State University) also had a strong outing for the Mohawks. Going into tonight had recorded two starts winning both with no earned runs, six strikeouts, and five walks. Tonight Stephens came out strong, striking out five batters through three innings. He continued on to pitch the rest of the game striking out another three batters and not allowing a run. Tonight’s performance gives Stephens thirty-two strikeouts on the season with an ERA of 1.80.
This game came to an abrupt end in the top of the seventh after lefty James Rubino (Hudson Valley Community College) came in to replace Anthony Fanelli (Manhattan College). During the first at bat of his outing he hit Hammon in the head with a pitch. The Colonie EMS team soon arrived and took Hammon to the hospital for further treatment. Both teams concluded that there was no need to continue and they ended the game with two and a half innings left to play. At 10:43 p.m., the Mohawks released a positive update on Hammon’s condition.
Update on Jake Hammon’s injury. We spoke to him on the phone a little while ago and he is doing well. He is in good spirits and hopes to be home tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for reaching out with concerns and for their well wishes.
— Amsterdam Mohawks (@MohawksBaseball) July 15, 2018
The Mohawks play again tomorrow as they continue their road trip against the Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs. As for the Dutchmen, they will play the Glens Falls Dragons tomorrow as they chase the division-leading Mohawks.