Queens, N.Y. - Freshman second baseman Brian Bullard recorded two hits, scored two runs and drove in two more in leading UAlbany to its first win of the season, a 9-6 decision over St. John's on Friday afternoon at Kaiser Stadium.
After playing to a 2-2 tie through three innings, UAlbany took a two-run lead in the fourth. Bullard recorded a base hit before catcher Ralph Keppler knocked a homer over the centerfield wall to give the Great Danes the lead. UAlbany added three runs in the seventh inning behind back-to-back RBI singles from Kyle Crean and Greg Muller. Crean scored the final run of the inning on a wild pitch.
St. John's responded with four runs in the bottom of the frame to make it a one-run game. The Red Storm loaded the bases and scored two unearned runs with a hit by pitch and a sacrifice fly. St. John's added two more unearned runs when Jimmy Parque and Matt Wessinger came home on a UAlbany fielding error.
The Great Danes scored two insurance runs in the top of the ninth. Muller reached base after getting hit by a pitch, and was replaced on the base path by Zach Kraham. Bullard recorded his second hit of the game, sending a double into left centerfield, scoring Kraham. Bullard then scored the Great Danes' final run, coming home on an RBI single by Jeff Welsh. Reliever Kevin Bartlett induced three quick outs in the bottom of the frame to seal the win for UAlbany.
UAlbany's Dave Kubiak earned the win on the mound for the Great Danes, striking out six opposing batters in 6.1 innings of work. Bartlett earned his first save for UAlbany with 2.2 innings on the mound. Matt Carasiti took the loss for St. John's (9-6).
UAlbany (1-10) will return to action against the Red Storm on Saturday for the second of a three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
-agate-
UAlbany (1-10) 101 200 302 - 9 11 3
St. John's (9-6) 110 000 400 - 6 9 3
UAlbany: Dave Kubiak, Kevin Bartlett (7) and Ralph Keppler.
St. John's: Matt Carasiti, Kevin Kilpatrick (4), Ryan Cole (7), Daniel Burawa (9) and Robert Case.
