Old Westbury, N.Y. - Centerfielder Jeff Smith finished the day with three hits, one run and two RBI to lead New York Tech to a two-game sweep of UAlbany in a rescheduled doubleheader that was rained out last weekend. The Bears won the first game, 2-1, in eight innings and took a 5-2 victory in the nightcap.

In game one, the two pitchers dueled on the mound, keeping the game scoreless until the fifth inning. Freshman right hander Kasceim Graham gave up back-to-back singles to NYIT, and Robert Loftus scored the game's first run on a balk. The Great Danes tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the seventh. Left fielder Nolan Gaige singled into center and was driven home on a base hit by second baseman Jeff Welsh.

Brian Gauthier took the mound for UAlbany in the bottom of the eighth, and allowed a lead-off single to shortstop Brian Smith. Smith advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and made it home on a UAlbany throwing error to end the game.

Graham struck out four opposing batters in seven innings of work. Gauthier took the loss for the Great Danes. Andrew Guarrasi fanned nine UAlbany batters in 6.2 innings on the mound for NYIT. Senior Mike Roth earned the win, striking out two without allowing a hit in 1.1 innings.

UAlbany scored first in the second game, tallying one run in the top of the second inning. Brian Bullard led off the frame with a base hit and later scored on an RBI single by Jamie Liebowitz. After moving Liebowitz into scoring position, the Bears turned a double play to end the inning. NYIT responded and took a three-run lead in the bottom of the frame. The Bears loaded the bases with two straight singles and a walk, before Jeff Smith knocked in two runs with a single into centerfield. A sacrifice fly scored the third run for NYIT, while Smith stole second and came home on a double by short stop Brian Smith.

The Bears tacked on an additional run in the fifth with an RBI single by Loftus. UAlbany turned a double play to end the inning and give the Great Danes a chance to rally. UAlbany scored a single run in the top of the seventh to pull within 5-2. Pete Eichner led off with a base hit and advanced to second on a NYIT error. The senior first baseman then stole third, and made it across home on a ground out by Ralph Keppler.

Freshman Christian Garcia took the loss for the Great Danes, allowing four runs and issuing three walks, while striking out one in 2.1 innings of work. Kevin Bartlett fanned two in 2.2 innings of relief, while Terry McFadden closed out the game on the mound for UAlbany. Preston Wasmund earned the win for NYIT (2-3), throwing a complete game with one strikeout.

UAlbany (0-9) will return to action on Wednesday, visiting Central Connecticut State for a single game starting at 3 p.m.

-agate-

UAlbany            000       000       10         -           1          5          2

NYIT                 000       010       01         -           2          7          1

            UAlbany: Kasceim Graham, Brian Gauthier (8) and Ralph Keppler.

            NYIT: Andrew Guarrasi, Mike Roth (7) and Greg Gilroy.

UAlbany (0-9)    010       000       1          -           2          7          0

NYIT (2-3)          040       010       x          -           5          8          1

            UAlbany: Christian Garcia, Kevin Bartlett (3), Terry McFadden (6) and Ralph Keppler.

            NYIT: Preston Wasmund and Greg Gilroy.

NYIT 2, UAlbany 1 (Mar 16, 2010)

2010 UAlbany Baseball
ALBANY at NYIT (Game 1)
Mar 16, 2010 at Old Westbury, NY (President's Field)

Score by Innings                   R  H  E
------------------------------------------
ALBANY.............. 000 000 10 -  1  5  2
NYIT................ 000 010 01 -  2  7  1
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