Baseball Notches Doubleheader Sweep At NYIT

Photo: Kasceim Graham recorded a career-high 10 strikeouts in game one.

Game 1 Box Score (pdf)

Game 2 Box Score (pdf)

Updated Season Stats (pdf)

BROOKHAVEN, N.Y. – The University at Albany baseball team notched a doubleheader sweep Monday afternoon, overcoming the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) by scores of 3-2 and 2-0. UAlbany's pitching staff combined to record 28 strikeouts in the twin bill, led by senior Kasceim Graham's 10 in just five innings of work. With the victories, the Great Danes improved to 3-7 on the season, while the Bears fell to 0-7.

Originally scheduled to play a pair of doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday, snow and rain conditions cut the weekend series down from four games to two, and pushed the clashes to Monday. Despite the schedule changes, the Great Danes rose to the occasion and recorded their first series sweep of the year.

In game one, UAlbany took a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first. D.J. Hoagboon led off with a single and scored on Josh Nethaway's double down the left field line. Freshman Evan Harasta kept the rally going with two outs, roping another double to right field, scoring Greg Muller who had reached on a fielder's choice.

The Great Danes made it 3-0 in the fifth, as Muller ripped a two-out triple to right-centerfield and crossed the plate on Harasta's liner up the middle.

In the bottom of the sixth, NYIT battled back to make it a one-run game.  After Cameron Sorgie replaced starter Kasceim Graham on the mound to start the inning, the Bears logged a double and three singles in the frame, plating two.

However, that would be the final runs of the game on both sides. NYIT threatened in the seventh, but left the bases loaded, as Sorgie got out of the jam with a strikeout and then sat the Bears down in order in the eighth.

Freshman Ryan Stinar closed the contest with three straight outs in the ninth, earning the save. Graham (2-1) earned the win, tossing five full frames, limiting NYIT to three hits and no runs, while striking out a career-high 10 batters. The pitching staff combined for 15 strikeouts in the game.

Jose Checo (0-2) took the loss for NYIT, allowing 10 hits and three runs in five and a third innings.

Offensively, Nethaway, Harasta, Matt Hinchy, and Jeff Welsh all went 2-for-4, as UAlbany totaled 12 hits in the clash, including six for extra bases.

In the nightcap, UAlbany's pitching continued its dominance, as Derek Zielinski and Austin Chase combined for the shutout, and held NYIT to just three hits total. Zielinski (1-3) earned the win, throwing five scoreless innings, allowing zero walks, two hits, while recording seven strikeouts. Chase earned the save, striking out six in four innings. The pair combined to hurl seven perfect innings in the win.

NYIT starter Jimmy Bulva (0-2) was tagged for the loss, allowing two runs and four hits in seven frames.

UAlbany scored both of the game's runs in the top of the third. Again, Hoagboon sparked the rally, laying down a bunt single and Nethaway followed with a double to right-centerfield, bringing the junior home. Harasta moved Nethaway to third with a single through the right side, and Welsh knocked him home with a groundout.

Offensively, Nethaway led the squad with two hits, finishing with a team-high four on the day.

Up next, the Great Danes open America East Conference play with a three-game series at Hartford. Saturday's doubleheader begins at noon, followed by a single game on Sunday, also with a noon start.