(June 17 Game)
By: Josh Richardson – dutchmenbaseball.com
(Guilderland, N.Y.): A comeback attempt for the Albany Dutchmen (5-7) fell just short, as the Utica Blue Sox (5-5) came from Central NY to take tonight’s game, 7-3. Both teams had a fierce battle with Mother Nature today when, after just one out was recorded in the top of the first inning, tonight’s game was stopped for nearly a two hour rain delay. Due to the delay, only one game of today’s doubleheader was able to be played, with Albany losing in seven innings.
The game began with Fairfield’s Grant Smeltzer being charged with 4 runs in the 1st inning, giving up just two himself before the rain delay pushed him out of the game. Utica’s Andre Dementral (NIU) began the game with a walk, followed by a Peter Adams (Limestone) hit by pitch. Will Shannon (Hillsdale) brought in the runners on a two-RBI double.
Heading into the rain delay down 2-0, the Dutchmen made a pitching change. In relief, Andrew Cubberly (Quinnipiac) went 3.2 innings, allowing four hits and three runs with five strikeouts, and the Utica lead was 7-0 after four innings.
Following Cubberly was Stony Brook’s Andrew Dongelewic, who gave the Dutchmen a strong performance from the bullpen, throwing three shutout innings with five strikeouts.
In the sixth inning, the Dutchmen showcased their talents in a rally attempt, scoring three runs off of a sacrifice fly from Donavan Canterberry (Xavier) and a two-RBI single from Brody Keneston (LeMoyne). Dongelewic retired the side for Utica in the 7th.
In the home half of the final frame, J.T. Vance (Mississippi College) started things off with a single, followed by walks from Mike Talevera (HVCC) and Nick Plue (Manhattan). Vince Venditti (St. Rose) came to the plate with a chance to tie the game, but a ground ball double play would end the game for the Dutchmen.
Albany will be back at home against the Saugerties Stallions on Monday at 6:35PM.