GUILDERLAND — Two separate winning streaks of three games apiece has left the Guilderland baseball team with one win left to clinch a Class AA playoff spot. Of course, the Dutch are no doubt playing for as many wins as it can get.

“It’s a nice spot to be in,” Guilderland Head Coach Doug LaValley said after Monday’s 6-to-2 win over Mohonasen at home on an overcast and slightly rainy day. “Feels a lot better to be on the winning side.”

The Dutchmen were 7-2 (8-4 overall) in the Suburban Council heading into Wednesday’s contest with Saratoga. The most runs Guilderland has surrendered in a game this season is five, to Niskayuna during a win on April 15. Guilderland has scored 23 more runs than the 20 runs it has given up.

“Phenomenal,” Evan Sanders said of Guilderland’s season so far; he had two singles and two RBIs for the Dutch on Monday. “We have one game left to punch our ticket.”

With a 3-to-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, Guilderland got the run support it needed to distance itself from Mohonasen. Cameron Collett singled over the second baseman’s head, and then Brandon Das doubled to the gap in left center field. Collett stopped at third base; there was no need to force in a run with the lead and one out.

Mohonasen changed pitchers — Nelson Travis replaced Noah Delbone. Also, Ryan Turck moved to catcher and Justin Cullam took over duties at first base. Jack Grabek came to bat for the Dutch, lifting a fly ball to left field that seemed bound to be caught, but the Warriors’ fielder was thinking too much about his throw to get Collett at home, and he missed the catch. Collett scored as Das was tagged out at third base.

Sanders approached the plate with two outs, and his single on a two-strike count was good for two runs for Guilderland.

Mohonasen didn’t go that quietly in the top of the seventh inning — two runners reached base — but the Dutchmen had its third consecutive win as Matt Schiller made the final out by flipping the ball to Sanders on second base.

Many high-fives were had between the Guilderland players. LaValley corralled the team to say the good word.

^{_{Andrew Blair keeps his eyes on the baseball during his at bat in the fourth inning for Guilderland during Monday’s game against Mohonasen. Blair struck out during this at bat, but hit a double in the third inning as the Dutchmen went on to win, 6 to 2. The Enterprise — Jordan J. Michael}}

LaValley told The Enterprise that the Dutch pitchers — it was Nick Bruno who threw five-and-two-thirds innings on Monday — have been limiting the opposition this season. “We’re not giving up many runs,” said LaValley. “Usually, it’s three or less.”

Guilderland had shutouts against Colonie (3 to 0) and Columbia (11 to 0). On Monday, the ball was coming hard off the Dutch bats.

“We can play with the big bats,” Sanders said. “We’re striking early, putting the bat on the ball, and making the plays that we need.”

Schiller doubled in the second inning and again in the third with an RBI. Andrew Blair doubled in the third inning, which was followed by Sanders’s single.

Guilderland has been focusing on situational hitting, LaValley said. Grabek’s pop fly to left field in the sixth inning was a good example. And another case in point from LaValley: hitting the ball up the middle with a runner on third base and less than two outs.

“I’m happy with where we are at,” said LaValley. “We’ll see where it lands, and take our chances.”

Guilderland plans to iron out some things, like its approach to bunting the ball, Sanders said, as the team enters the second half of its season. And, with seven wins already, the Dutch may have some hassle-free baseball ahead.

^{_{How’s your day? Guilderland’s Brandon Das, left, talks with assistant coach Chris Yager in the sixth inning of Monday’s game after hitting a double; Mohonasen was changing pitchers. The Dutchmen won, 6 to 2. The Enterprise — Jordan J. Michael}}     

^{_{It’s an illusion: The baseball seems to rest on Nick Bruno’s shoulder as it travels toward home plate on Monday in Guilderland. The Dutchmen beat Mohonasen, moving to 7-2 in the Suburban Council with Saratoga coming to town on Wednesday. The Enterprise — Jordan J. Michael}}