The Outlaws went into a doubleheader against the Albany Dutchmen yesterday just a half game behind Amsterdam for first place in the East after Saturday’s suspended game against Cooperstown was ruled an official game, and an Outlaw victory. After being ruled a complete game on Saturday, the league initially called it a suspended game because it was first stopped due to lightning. But once the rain came the field was unplayable, and the umpires called the game. Over the weekend the rules committee then got together for a final ruling, and decided to go with the umpires decision of a complete game due to unplayable conditions.

Game One

Outlaws 7, Albany 4

In the first game of the doubleheader against the Albany Dutchmen, which started an hour late due to rain, the Outlaws won behind five solid innings of four hit ball by Michael Cook (Louisiana-Lafayette) as he improved to 3-0 on the year.

The Outlaws struck for three runs in the second inning to get an early lead. Tom Murphy (Buffalo) had a one out double to left and Jordan Poirrier (Louisiana-Lafayette) followed with a walk. After Marc  Perdios (Boston College) walked an out later to load the bases, Derrick Osteen (William & Mary) singled home Murphy and Poirrier. Keeping the two out rally going, Matthew Scruggs (East Tennessee State) knocked in Perdios with a base hit.

With the lead 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth the Outlaws struck for three much needed insurance runs. With one out Murphy walked and was followed by a Poirrier single. With James Young (Barry) at bat both runners moved up on a wild pitch, then scored on Young’s double. Young then came around to score on a single by Perdios.

Taylor Austin (UC San Diego) gave up two runs in the sixth, but shut the Dutchmen down in the seventh to hold on for the Outlaws. The bottom of the Outlaw lineup did a lot of damage, with the 6-9 hitters scoring all seven runs and Murphy and Perdios each having two hits. Leadoff man Derrick Osteen did his part as well, going 2-2 with a walk and 2 RBIs.

Game Two

Albany 5, Outlaws 2

In game two the Outlaws offense scuffled a bit and starting pitcher Brandon Rohde (Washington) struggled, taking the loss to drop to 1-2. He gave up five runs, four earned, in four innings after starting off strong with five strikeouts in the first two innings. That would be his final tally however, and the Outlaws offense never got going to take him off the hook.

Evan Kehoe (UC San Diego) went 2-3 and was the only Outlaw with multiple hits. Derrick Osteen kept his strong night going, reaching base twice with a walk and going 1-3 and a run scored. Brian Denneny (Oklahoma State) and Daniel Marrs (Wake Forest) combined for three scoreless innings of relief of Rohde.

- Jeff Dickson