Albany, N.Y. - Mike Tirri came in to pinch hit in the bottom of the ninth and drove a two-run, walk-off homer to lead UAlbany to a 7-5 win in the nightcap of an America East Conference baseball doubleheader against Hartford on Saturday afternoon at Varsity Field. The Great Danes completed the sweep with the second-game win after recording a 6-0 shutout of the Hawks in the early game.

            In game one, UAlbany scored in the first inning on an RBI single by Brian Bullard that scored an unearned run. The Great Danes added single runs in both the fourth and fifth frames. Kyle Crean homered over the right field fence in the fourth, while Pete DiResta drove in Jeff Welsh in the fifth on an RBI single. UAlbany then scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to seal the win. Nolan Gaige tripled into right center to score two runs, while Rob Cervini also knocked out an RBI double to set the final score.

            Senior right-hander Dave Kubiak tossed the complete-game shutout, his first of the season. Kubiak scattered five hits and issued just one walk, while striking out nine. Hartford's Mike Thatcher took the loss on the mound after five and a third innings of work, allowing three earned runs with three strikeouts.

            In the nightcap, Hartford struck first, scoring a single run in the first and adding two more in the third. The Hawks then scored two runs in the top of the sixth on a two-run homer by Mark Sorbara to hold a 5-0 lead. The Great Danes came roaring back in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game. A lead-off walk, followed by a double put runners in scoring position. Crean then knocked a single, sending both baserunners home, and advanced to second on the throw to home. Crean came home on a single through the right side by DiResta, while Bullard came around on a fielder's choice. Josh Nethaway sent Greg Muller home for the tying run with a single before the Hawks ended the rally by turning a double play.

            Relief pitcher Greg Lutton kept the Hartford bats silent for the final three innings, giving the Great Danes the opportunity to seal up the win in the bottom of the ninth. D.J. Hoagboon doubled down the left field line, putting a runner in scoring position for Tirri's pinch hit. With two outs and a full count, Tirri smashed the ball over the right field fence to give the Great Danes the comeback victory.

            Sorbara recorded three hits and scored three runs in the game for Hartford. Reliever Hunter Englehart took the loss on the mound for the Hawks, allowing four hits with no strikeouts.

            UAlbany (9-15, AE 2-0) and Hartford (2-22-1, AE 0-2) will complete the three-game series on Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.

-agate-

Game One

Hartford                        000       000       0          -           0          5          2

UAlbany                        100       113       x          -           6          8          0

            Hartford: Mike Thatcher, Ryan Lukach (6) and James Alfonso.

            UAlbany: Dave Kubiak and Josh Nethaway.

Game Two

Hartford (2-22-1, AE 0-2)            102       002       000       -           5          10         1

UAlbany (9-15, AE 2-0)  000       000       502       -           7          12         0

            Hartford: Alex Gouin, Vincent Fiore (7), Hunter Englehard (7) and Brian Hunter.

            UAlbany: Kasceim Graham, Greg Lutton (7) and D.J. Hoagboon.

UAlbany 6, Hartford 0 (Apr 09, 2011)

Score by Innings                  R  H  E
-----------------------------------------
Hartford............ 000 000 0 -  0  5  2
Albany.............. 100 113 X -  6  8  0
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Score by Innings                    R  H  E
-------------------------------------------
Hartford............ 102 002 000 -  5 10  1
Albany.............. 000 000 502 -  7 12  0
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