It is always bittersweet when a season as long as one in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League comes to an end. The dynamic of players and fans from all over the country coming together for a season of summer baseball is truly amazing, and this season for the Albany Dutchmen was no exception. Albany ended the season as best they could, behind brilliant starting pitching from All-Star Matt Snyder (Virginia Tech), in their 5-3 defeat of nationally ranked Amsterdam.

Snyder finished his All-Star season with a performance of eight innings, which included three runs (two earned) and seven hits scattered over his stay on the mound. He struck out four and walked none in what was truly an amazing start to end his 2012 season. The only trouble Snyder ran into was a 2-run home run off of the bat of Ed Charlton (NJIT) in the top of the sixth inning. Otherwise, he was in complete control at Bellizzi Field on Wednesday night.

Charlton was one of the key offensive performers for the Mohawks, as he and teammate Matt MacDowell (Dartmouth) both recorded two hits. They each scored a run, and Charlton had the 2 RBI from the home run to make it a great night for him at the dish.

The big blow in the game came off the bat of Jack Wietlispach (Parkland) as he came to the plate in a bases loaded, tie game in the bottom of the 8th inning. Wietlispach jumped all over a Kyle Rufer (Schenectady County CC) fastball and drove in two runs that proved to be the difference for Albany. Wietlispach put a nice end to his 2012 season, as he was a fan favorite here at Bellizzi and a guy that played the game the right way.

Rufer took the loss for the Mohawks as he evened out his record at 1-1. Snyder took the win, and he also evened his record at 3-3. Ricky Schafer (Cypress) came in to pitch the ninth for Albany, as he dominated his way to his fourth save of the year by striking out the side in order.

The Dutchmen were helped out at the plate by leadoff man Greg Pezzuto (Southern New Hampshire) as he went 4 for 5 with two runs and one RBI. His brother Andrew (Cortland State) and outfielder Cody Ellis (Patrick Henry CC) each kicked in two hits of their own to help the Dutchmen offensively.

Amsterdam finished the season at a league-best 35-12 as they will be the one seed in their playoff run, which starts on Friday. The Dutchmen finished the season at a respectable, but ultimately not good enough, record of 22-24, as they saw their season of ups-and-downs end with the win against Amsterdam.