SAUGERTIES, N.Y. – The Saugerties Stallions and Albany Dutchmen split a doubleheader at Cantine Field on Tuesday night, with Albany taking Game 1, and Saugerties answering with a Game 2 victory. The Dutchmen were victorious in Game 1, winning in extra innings by a 5-4 score. The Stallions won the second game, also by a 5-4 score.  

The Stallions struck first in the first game of the day, plating a pair of runs on a single from David Shackleford (Arizona) in the bottom of the second.  However, the Dutchmen answered quickly, plating three runs in the top of the third inning. With two outs and a runner at second, Ryan McGee (Siena) pushed a single into left field, scoring Evan Fox (Stony Brook) to make it a 2-1 game.

After a walk to Mike Handal (Fairfield), Will Stroud (Azusa Pacific) doubled to score both McGee and Handal, giving Albany a 3-2 lead. It was a well-pitched game, and the score remained 3-2 until the bottom of the 6th. With one out, Nick Iverson (UC Davis) doubled, and Tyler Kelder (FAU) followed with another double, scoring Iverson and tying the game. After back-to-back walks loaded the bases, a sac fly from Colin Mackle (Marist) gave Saugerties a 4-3 lead.

In the top of the 7th, the Dutchmen tied the game after a looping single from Jack Peterson (Trinity) found grass, scoring Nick Schwartz (St. John’s) and sending the game to extra innings. In the 8th inning, Albany took the lead for good. Starting with an automatic runner on second, Mike Handal singled to score Peterson, giving the Dutchmen a 5-4 lead.  Ryan Yerby (RPI) started for the Dutchmen, allowing 3 runs in 5.1 innings.

He struck out 5 and walked one, allowing 5 hits. Tristan Nemjo (Hofstra) appeared in relief, throwing 2.2 innings while allowing 1 run. Nemjo finished the game on the mound, earning the win. Theo Millas (LSU) started for the Stallions, allowing 3 runs in 4 innings, with 2 walks and 4 strikeouts. Aaron Cohn (Fairleigh Dickinson) tossed a pair of scoreless innings, striking out two. Richie Cimpric (Franklin Pierce) took the loss for Saugerties, allowing 2 runs in 2 innings.         

In the second game of the day, the Stallions were able to seize control early. Saugerties took a 1-0 lead in the second, after an RBI groundout from Albert Jennings (Washington State) scored Colin Mackle (Marist). However, the Dutchmen answered in the third, tying the game at 1 on a double from Will Stroud (Azusa Pacific) that scored Mike Handal (Fairfield) from first base. In the 4th, however, the Stallion offense got into a groove.

Saugerties plated four runs in the fourth, two from a ground-rule double off the bat of Mackle that scored Kip Fougerousse (Indiana) and Cade Verdusco (Grand Canyon), giving the Stallions a 3-1 lead. The lead extended to 5-1 later in the inning, following a 2-RBI single from Caden Kendle (UC Irvine) that scored Mackle and Andrew Wilhite (Minnesota).  With the score at 5-1 in the 5th, the Dutchmen began slowly chipping away. An error by shortstop Noah Berghammer (Minnesota) allowed Jake Defayette (RPI) to score, cutting the lead to 5-2.

In the 6th inning, Albany snagged another run. Nick Schwartz (St. John’s) singled to start the inning, eventually advancing to third, and scoring on a wild pitch.  The lead was cut to one in the top of the 7th. With Albany two outs away from defeat, an RBI single off the bat of Stroud scored Handal to make it a 5-4 game. However, Stallions pitcher Jarek Woodward held off the rally, securing the final two outs to finish the game. Bryce Reimer (Bucknell) started for the Stallions and earned the win, throwing 4 innings of 1-run ball. He walked one, allowed 6 hits, and struck out 7. Dom Marcoccio (Wofford) threw 2 innings of relief, allowing 2 runs (1 earned), on 2 hits, with 3 walks and a pair of strikeouts.

Jarek Woodward (Grand Canyon) picked up the save for the Stallions, allowing 2 hits, one run, one walk, and one strikeout. Mitch Murrell (Ole Miss) started for the Dutchmen, lasting just 2 innings. He allowed 1 run, with 2 walks and 3 strikeouts. Collin McVeigh (Fairfield) took the loss, allowing 4 runs in just one inning. Arlo Marynczak (Siena) threw one scoreless inning, striking out three.

Dylan Johnson (St. John’s) also threw a pair of scoreless innings for the Dutchmen. After the doubleheader split, Albany is now 16-16. They will next play against the Glens Falls Dragons on Thursday.

The Stallions are now 19-9, and will play the Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs on Thursday. For more, follow The Stallions on Twitter and Instagram @PGCBLStallions or on Facebook. Visit us online at www.SaugertiesStallions.com.