Baseball Topped By Towson, 8-2
BOX SCORE
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – At the Campbell Classic Saturday afternoon at Jim Perry Stadium, Towson University scored three runs in the first inning and held the lead the rest of the way, overcoming the University at Albany baseball team, 8-2. With the loss, UAlbany dropped to 1-5 on the season, while Towson improved its record to 6-2.
Totaling five hits as a team, centerfielder Cory Kingston led the Great Danes with his 2-for-5 effort at the plate. Redshirt seniors Brian Bullard and Josh Nethaway each recorded a hit and an RBI.
On the mound, junior Cameron Sorgie (0-2) took the loss, throwing two innings, while being tagged for five earned runs, four hits, four walks, while striking out two. Sam DeCelle relieved Sorgie in the third and got the Danes out of the inning, sitting the Tigers down in order. Junior Matt Gallup threw four innings of middle relief, holding Towson to two runs, four hits, and struck out four. Sophomore Brendan Ryan tossed the final frame, giving up one unearned run, one hit, while striking out one.
Acting as the home team in the neutral site contest, Towson took a quick 3-0 head start in the bottom of the first, taking advantage of a walk and a hit batter at the top of the order. Kurt Wertz lined an RBI double, bringing the first run in, and after another walk, Peter Bowles knocked an RBI single to centerfield. With the bases loaded and one out, Brendan Butler was hit by a pitch, bringing in the third run of the inning.
In the top of the third, UAlbany broke onto the board, as Bullard doubled down the right field line with two outs and Nethaway followed with an RBI single through the left side.
However, the Tigers answered back immediately in the bottom of the inning with two runs, making the score 5-1. With two on after a single and a walk, Butler belted a double down the left field line, clearing the bases.
Towson added two more runs in the fourth, stringing together three hits, including Dominic Fratantuono's RBI double to left center.
The Great Danes made the score 7-2 in the top of the seventh when Richard Bacon reached base on a plunk, advanced to third on Kingston's single, and scored on Bullard's RBI groundout to second.
The Tigers took the run back in the eighth, making the final 8-2 score. Brandon Gonnella reached base on a two-out error, and crossed the plate on Wertz's triple to the right centerfield gap.
Bruce Zimmerman (2-0) earned the win for Towson, throwing six innings, allowing one run, four hits, while striking out five. Kyle Paul took the save, tossing the final three frames.
UAlbany will play its final game in the Campbell Classic Sunday at noon against Army.
