A Milestone Victory in Schenectady
On a bright Sunday in Schenectady, New York, the Albany Athletics clinched the Price Chopper/Market 32 Baseball Fest championship, outscoring their opponents 39‑5 across five games. The win marks the team’s 16th title in the 26 editions of this annual event, a milestone that underscores the program’s sustained excellence.
The decisive blow came in the bottom of the sixth inning when Trey Mariano launched a two‑run home run that flipped the lead and ignited a rally. The hit was the centerpiece of a dominant performance that left the competition far behind.
The Athletics have now captured five straight championships from 2018 through 2023, a streak that was only broken by the 2020 cancellation caused by the COVID‑19 pandemic. Their consistency has made them a fixture at the top of the tournament’s leaderboard.
Beyond the scoreboard, the event serves a charitable purpose. All proceeds from the tournament are donated to the American Cancer Society, turning each game into a contribution to cancer research and patient support.
MVP honors were shared by Mariano and Nick Plue, who each finished the tournament 7‑for‑12 at the plate, drove in 12 runs and scored 15. Their impact was amplified by contributions from the rest of the roster, including Cade Bernardo, Walker Abdallah, Colin Barry, Luke Tisencheck, Joe Altieri and Adam Shinder, who helped maintain the team’s high‑scoring pace.