The Albany Dutchmen (17-23) defeated the Newark Pilots (22-20) 5-1 on Thursday night at Colburn Park. The win snapped the Dutchmen's two game skid as they look to finish their 2011 campaign on strong note. Albany is  now 5-1 against the Pilots on the season.

Justin Brantley (Siena) pitched a beauty in eight full innings of work on the mound for Albany. He surrendered just one run while striking out 13. He outworked Dominick Ruscitti (Kutztown), who entered Thursday’s contest undefeated with the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League’s lowest ERA.
Ruscitti, now 5-1, gave up four runs in six innings pitched.

In the top of the first Ruscitti walked the bases loaded and then gave up a RBI single to Steve Anderson (Georgetown). Albany went up 3-0 following a two-run single from newcomer Jevonte Osterhout (Saint Rose) with two outs and the bases still full. It was Osterhout's second game with the team.

Newark scored its lone run of the night in the home half of the third. Adam Grace (Genesee C.C.) led off the inning with a walk and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. He then took third on a groundout by Chase Brown (UT Dallas). Grace was driven home on a RBI single from Luke Swenson (UC Santa Barbara) in the next at bat.

Albany tagged on a couple more runs in the sixth and eighth frames. Osterhout continued his strong night driving in his third run of the game with a RBI single in the sixth. Andrew Deeds (Morehead State) scored the latter run without Albany recording a hit. Deeds was hit by Newark reliever Alex Flores (Ohlone) to start off the eighth. He took second on a passed ball and then was ruled safe with a stolen base at third although it appeared he was tagged out on a very questionable call. A wild pitch from Flores then allowed Deeds to score.

Zach Robinson (Miami) was called out of the bullpen in the ninth. With two outs, Grace reached on an error and Brown was hit by a pitch, but Robinson was able to hold his composure and Newark scoreless, ending the game with a fly out.

Osterhout finished a perfect 3-for-3 and also collected three RBI’s for Albany. Deeds had a game-high three runs scored. Swenson went 2-for-5 with the Pilots’ only RBI.

The Albany Dutchmen are on the road against the Glens Falls Golden Eagles tonight with the first pitched slated for 7 p.m. For all Dutchmen information visit www.dutchmenbaseball.com or follow us @DutchmenPGCBL.