Will Stroud (Azusa Pacific) has been named the Player of the Week Sponsored by CDSF. Stroud built on his outstanding season, batting .500 (7-14) with two doubles, seven RBIs, and four stolen bases on the week ending 7/17. On the season, Stroud’s batting average is up at .384 which is good for second in the PGCBL to go with his 16 RBIs. Stroud has carried a simple approach at the plate, one that has led him to lots of success this summer.

“I’ve been trying to swing aggressively on good pitches, stay within myself, and not try to do too much,” Stroud said.

Stroud has been outstanding at the plate all summer long for the Dutchmen, but the Azusa Pacific product somehow found a way to raise his batting average even higher this past week.

“I felt like I was able to hit the fastball well and battle with two strikes and put the ball in play this week,” Stroud said.

Stroud has been a singles machine for Albany but nearly doubled his RBI total in just one week, going from 9 through the first five weeks, to totalling 16 through six weeks.

“I always like when I’m able to pick up RBIs to help the team and put us in a better position to try to win some ball games,” Stroud said.

Stroud has proved himself to be a tough out, but he’s even tougher to strikeout, as he’s only gone down on strikes eight times in his 86 at bats this season.

“Striking out is the worst, with two strikes I’m just trying to do anything possible to keep the at bat alive, put the ball in play, and trying to not let the pitcher beat me on the last third strike,” Stroud said.

The switch hitting Stroud has been a player that Coach Nick Davey has been able to rely on all summer, whether it be against lefties or righties on the mound.

“Will has been the most consistent player we’ve had all summer long, over the next two weeks he will be counted on to be a constant in the middle of the order,” Davey said.

Stroud’s game day routine starts with a pregame meal with his roommate for the summer, Jack Peterson.

“Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been going to an italian market with Jack Peterson, my roommate, we’ve been going a lot before games,” Stroud said.

The California native has been enjoying his summer in New York, enjoying the Empire State for all of its summer tourist attractions

“I’ve been to Cooperstown a couple of times since I’ve been here, I got to go see a Yankee game, and I went to New York City one day, saw the Statue of Liberty and checked a lot of things off my bucket list,” Stroud said.

Stroud is one of many players that have come to the Dutchmen from Azusa Pacific, he saw action in 15 games in the 2021 season but has gotten a big confidence boost this summer in Albany.

“This season has given me a lot more confidence, it gets me excited for school ball, hopefully I can earn a spot and help our team win a championship,” Stroud said.

Will Stroud and the Albany Dutchmen return to action on Monday, July 19th at 6:35 against the Glens Falls Dragons for America’s Pastime Stables Horse Racing Night at Dutchmen Field.