West Hartford, Conn. - Mike Tirri hit a two-RBI double in game one, while Kyle Crean smashed a solo home run to right field in the nightcap to lead UAlbany to a doubleheader sweep of Hartford in America East Conference baseball action at Fiondella Field on Saturday afternoon. The Great Danes defeated the Hawks, 9-4, in game one, before posting a 6-4 win in the second game.

            Hartford scored one run in the second inning to take an early lead. The Great Danes took a 4-1 lead in the top of the fourth, getting two runs on Tirri's double down the right field line. Nolan Gaige drove in the other two runs for UAlbany on a single into center, sending Tirri and Rob Cervini across home. The Great Danes tacked three more runs onto their total in the top of the sixth, as Crean and Pete DiResta recorded RBI singles, while Greg Muller sent one run home with a double.

            The Hawks responded with three runs in the bottom of the frame, to cut the lead to 7-4. Simon Kudernatsch drove in one run before Matt Walker smacked a two-run single. UAlbany added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh to seal up the victory. Tirri hit a base hit and Cervini drew a walk before Crean sent both runners home with a single up the middle to set the final score.

            Dave Kubiak earned the win on the mound for the Great Danes with six strikeouts over a six-inning performance. Matt Dybus tossed the final inning for UAlbany, fanning two without allowing a hit. Mike Thatcher took the loss for Hartford, allowing four earned runs in three and two thirds innings of work.

            UAlbany struck first in game two, putting three runs on the board in the top of the third inning. With the bases loaded, Crean was hit by a pitch to send the first run home, before Ralph Rizzo scored on a balk. Muller sent Gaige home on a sacrifice fly to finish up the UAlbany scoring in the frame. Hartford scored one run in the bottom of the fourth, as Chris Suchy doubled down the left field line, but the Great Danes responded with a single run in the top of the fifth, on Mullers second sac fly of the game.

            After Hartford got one run across home in the seventh, UAlbany tacked on two in the top of the eighth. Crean led off the inning with his solo homer, while Tirri drove in Muller on a single up the middle. The Hawks attempted a late rally, scoring two runs in the bottom of the ninth, but reliever Greg Lutton induced a ground out to end the threat.

            UAlbany starter Kasceim Graham earned the win, fanning six over seven innings of work. Hunter Englehart took the loss for Hartford, scattering six hits while striking out four in seven innings.