Orono, Maine
- Zach Kraham pitched a seven-inning complete game, allowing just three hits in
the first game, while Craig Lepre sent an RBI triple down the right field line
to send the winning run home in the nightcap, as UAlbany swept Maine in an
America East Conference baseball doubleheader on Saturday at Mahaney Diamond.
The Great Danes posted a 4-2 victory in game one, and recorded a 1-0 win in 10
innings in game two for the sweep.
UAlbany got on the board first in
the early game, plating three runs in the top of the fifth. Joey Tracy led off
with a walk, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jeff Welsh. Tracy
moved over to third on a ground out, and the Great Danes got runners on the
corners after a walk issued to Gordon Madej. Nolan Gaige recorded one of his
three hits with an RBI single to score Tracy, before coming home himself on a
two-run triple by D.J. Hoagboon to give the Great Danes a 3-0 lead. Maine
responded in the bottom of the inning, getting two runs. Mike Fransoso recorded
an RBI double, while Troy Black came home on a fielder's choice. Kraham got
Scott Heath to strike out swinging to end the inning and preserve the Great
Danes' one-run lead.
UAlbany added an insurance run in
the top of the seventh, as Lepre came home on a sacrifice fly by Pete DiResta.
Kraham went back to work in the bottom of the inning, getting three groundouts
to end the game with a UAlbany victory. Kraham struck out four opposing batters
in the game. Stephen Perakslis went six innings on the mound for Maine, fanning
five while scattering five hits and allowing all four runs.
The second game was a pitcher's duel
between UAlbany's Sean Lucas and Maine's Shaun Coughlin. Both starters went
eight innings for their respective teams without allowing a run. Lucas
scattered eight hits and struck out six without issuing a walk. Coughlin
allowed just three hits to the Great Danes, while striking out one and issuing
one walk.
Neither team could get on the
scoreboard in regulation innings, sending the game to the tenth. UAlbany broke
the 0-0 tie in the top of the frame, as Brian Bullard singled to right center
with two outs on the board. Lepre got ahold of a pitch in the next at bat,
sending a triple sailing down the right field line, and sending Bullard across
home plate. The Black Bears got a baserunner in the bottom of the inning, but
the Great Danes turned a double play to end the frame and come away with the
1-0 victory.
UAlbany
(14-26-1, AE 8-5) and Maine (21-19, AE 7-4) will return to action on Sunday for
the conclusion of the three-game series.