By Cody Marshall

Box Score

Justin Yurchak (Binghamton) scored on two errors in one play to put the Amsterdam Mohawks past the Albany Dutchmen 3-2 on Saturday night.

Amsterdam’s other runs came on a first inning two-run home run off the bat of Craig Dedelow (Indiana). Dedelow finished the game 1-for-4 with a home run, run scored, and two RBIs. Tyler Kirkpatrick (Marist) and Hunter Tackett (Auburn) were the only hitters to pick up multiple hits as they each slugged two singles.

Michael Fitzsimmons (Ole Miss) paced the Albany offense by going 1-for-4 with a solo home run that tied the game at two in the sixth inning. Albany managed to push across a run in the second when Dominic DiCaprio (Rice) came around to score on Jesse Cooper’s (Seton Hill) ground out.

With the score knotted at two in the bottom of the eighth, Yurchak reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second. On the attempt, the throw sailed into the outfield and skipped by the center fielder, allowing Yurchak to hustle home as the deciding run.

However, it was the pitching staffs that shined on the diamond. Amsterdam starter Brad Schaenzer (Kentucky) went seven innings and allowed two earned runs on four hits while walking three, but did not factor in the decision.
His counterpart, Gavin Wallace (Fairfield) took a tough luck loss after going a complete game eight innings. Wallace allowed three runs (two earned) on eight hits, struck out three, and did not walk a batter. Wallace is now 1-4 on the season.

Tyler Smith (Canisius) picked up the win after going two scoreless and hitless innings in relief of Schaenzer, in which he picked up three strikeouts. Smith is now 3-1.

With the win, the Mohawks improved to 32-8 on the season and can clinch the top seed in the East Division with a win on Sunday against the Utica Brewers. Amsterdam can clinch by virtue of holding the tie breaker against the Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs.

Albany will have a long layoff with the help of the PGCBL All-Star game before returning home to play a doubleheader against the Saugerties Stallions on Tuesday. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 5 p.m. After tonight’s games, the Dutchmen sit 2.5 games back of Glens Falls for the final East Division playoff spot.

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