(June 30 DH)
By: James Calderon – dutchmenbaseball.com
(GUILDERLAND, NY): The Albany Dutchmen (7-14) returned to Guilderland Friday set for a doubleheader against the second place Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs (15-9). The Dutchmen managed to split the set of games with a 4-1 win in the first game, but fell short 5-1 in the second. David James (USC Upstate) picked up yet another quality outing as he went 4.2 innings, only allowing one run and picking up four strikeouts. Brody Keneston (Le Moyne College) and Nick Plue (Manhattan College) would carry the Dutchmen offense in both games.
Albany started game one aggressive at the plate as well as on the bases. Anderson Moreno (Southern New Hampshire) and Mario Cubello (St. John Fisher) managed to swipe bags but several other Dutchmen were caught attempting to steal.
Keneston, Tyler Kipp (Fairfield University), Plue, and Joseph Karpierz (Xavier University) all collected doubles with Kipp, Karpierz, and Cubello also earning RBIs.
David James proved tonight why he is considered one of the top pitchers in the PGCBL, as he managed to shut down a formidable Mohawk Valley offense. Despite getting into some trouble in the fifth, the Dutchmen bullpen was able to pick up their star pitcher. Dutchmen relievers Matt Tiberia (The College of Saint Rose) and Elias Conway (University of Delaware) combined for 2.1 innings of no-run baseball.
The Diamond Dawgs were able to respond in the night’s second game, as their offense was able to heat up and their pitching was able to quiet Albany bats.
Mohawk Valley got on the board early in the first inning and would add three more to their lead in the top of the fourth. The Dutchmen were also able to strike in the fourth inning, as Vince Venditti (The College of Saint Rose) crossed the plate, but this would be all, as the Dutchmen bats were kept to only three hits. Plue and Keneston would account for two of those hits. Moreno would collect the third.
A quieter game offensively and a few errors in the field would result in the Dutchmen dropping the second game 5-1.
Albany returns to action Sunday, as they travel to Utica for a doubleheader to begin the week, facing off with the Blue Sox beginning at 5:00 PM. The Dutchmen will return home this upcoming Thursday, July 6, as they play another double header- this time against Glens Falls (7-11). If you are unable to make it to Dutchmen Field for either of Thursday’s games, be sure to tune into the broadcast on Facebook Live.