DiamondDawgs outlast Dutchmen in Pitching Duel

The Albany Dutchmen (24-20) would fall to the Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs (27-18) on Wednesday night at Bellizzi Field by a score of 6-1.

The two squads would be neck-and-neck throughout, for what was a phenomenal pitching duel, before Mohawk Valley put up four runs in the top of the ninth to run away with the victory.

Mohawk Valley would also provide the first run in the top of the fourth, as Drew Arciuolo (Fairfield University) would draw a walk and, after stealing second with one out, would come around to score on a single through the right side by Mac Crispino (Fairfield University).

The DiamondDawgs would add on to that lead in the next inning, as Justin Fowler (Dartmouth College) would single off Dartmouth teammate Jackson Bubala, who happened to be making his first start for the Dutchmen this season, bringing in Andrew Turner (Long Island University Brooklyn) from second after he led off with a walk and moved up on a Michael Conti (Fairfield University) single.

Albany would immediately respond in the bottom half of the frame.  After Kyle Skeels (Coastal Carolina University) laced a one out double down the left field line, Bray Curreri (College of Saint Rose) rocked a triple off the base of the wall in right center with two outs to score Skeels and cut the lead in half, 2-1. The Dutchmen had a prime opportunity to tie the game right there, but a flyout stranded the tying run on third and that would be as close as the Dutchmen would get.

Both teams would be held quiet offensively, before the visitors took advantage of two Albany errors to open the game up in the ninth. Tanner Wessling (University of Tennessee-Martin) would lead off reaching on the first error of the inning.  After moving to third on a single and sacrifice bunt, Wessling would score on the first pitch of the evening from Jack Owens (Bryant University), a wicked slider that nicked the glove and got past catcher Brent Alford (Augusta University) to make it 3-1.

The DiamondDawgs would end up loading the bases with two outs, and a Arciuolo walk would allow Mike Martinez (Rutgers University) to score. Kevin Radziewicz would follow him with a fly ball to left field, but Albany left fielder John Novenche (Canisius College) would drop the ball after running a long distance from his position in left to allow two more runs to score and provide the final score of 6-1.

Chatham native Kody Skype (College of Saint Rose) would end up making his Dutchmen debut after signing yesterday, grounding into a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the ninth after he pinch hit for Novenche.

The Dutchmen would only be able to manage five hits, Mohawk Valley four, in the prime pitching matchup that took place between Bubala and DiamondDawg starter Joe DeSarro (Herkimer Community College). Bubala’s five inning effort would give him the Player of the Game nod, as he allowed only two runs (both earned) on two hits and three walks to go with a pair of strikeouts in his spot start.

The 6-7-8-9 hitters in the Dutchmen order would provide four of the five hits on the evening, led by Curreri, who would finish 1-for-3 with his RBI triple and Skeels, 1-for-3 with his double and run on the evening. Justin Childers (Ohio Dominican University) would walk twice and play a great game defensively in right field, including an incredible diving catch in the top of the third, charging on a shallow fly ball from Garret Kelly (University of California- Davis).

Mohawk Valley has tomorrow off before heading to Shuttleworth Park to face the East Division leading Amsterdam Mohawks Friday at 6:35.

Albany heads to Saugerties tomorrow to face the Stallions at at 6:30, looking to keep their second place hopes alive after the loss Wednesday evening, leaving them two and a half games back of the second place DiamondDawgs in the division. If the Dutchmen finish in second place, they will host the first round East Division playoff game. If the Dutchmen finish in third or fourth place, they will travel for the first round playoff game.

Albany returns home Friday night, when they host the Oneonta Outlaws in a doubleheader beginning at 5:05. The Dutchmen will have Spotlight Newspaper Player of the Week Awards Night, when they honor the eight Dutchmen Player of the Weeks. There will also be a Dutchmen Photo Giveaway of Jack Grabek (Bucknell University), Troy Montemayor (Baylor University) and Joe Pokrentowski (College of Saint Rose) courtesy of Stannard Photography for the first 200 fans.