NJIT Takes Two From Baseball
BOX ONE I BOX TWO
ALBANY, N.Y. – Battling high winds at Varsity Field, the University at Albany baseball team fell 5-2 and 9-3 in Saturday's non-conference doubleheader against NJIT. The Great Danes dropped to 7-12 on the season, while the Highlanders improved to 15-9-1.
NJIT never trailed on the day, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first in game one. Jesse Uttendorfer led off with a single up the middle and advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches. After a walk, Uttendorfer crossed the plate on a passed ball and Bryan Haberstroh followed with an RBI double to center.
The Great Danes got one run back in the bottom of the inning, as Will Miller led off with a single up the middle, and scored on a bases loaded error.
However, the Highlanders continued to stretch its lead, scoring a run in the second on a bases loaded walk off started Stephen Woods.
NJIT made it 5-1 in the third on a pair of unearned runs. UAlbany looked to rally in the fourth, as Miller and Craig Lepre knocked back-to-back singles to open the frame. With one, out freshman Shawn Blake's grounder to first brought in Miller, but that would be the Danes' final run, as NJIT reliever Tommy Derer escaped a bases loaded jam.
Derer allowed no runs and two hits, while striking out two in three innings of middle relief. Closer Tyler Kapp picked up the save throwing a hitless seventh, while starter Joe Fasano allowed two runs (one earned) and seven hits, while striking out two in the first three frames.
For UAlbany, Woods (2-3) took the loss, allowing five runs (three earned) and five hits, striking out three in 2.1 innings. Out of the pen, Sam DeCelle held the Highlanders off the board and to just one hit, striking out three in 4.2 frames.
Offensively, the Danes totaled nine hits led by Miller (3-for-4) and Lepre (2-for-3).
In game two, NJIT took a 4-0 lead in the third, scoring the first run of the game on a balk followed by Bryan Haberstroh's three-run home run over the left-centerfield wall.
The Highlanders steadily built their lead, scoring two in the fourth on Ed Charlton's home run, one in the fifth, and two more unearned runs in the sixth.
UAlbany answered with a run in the bottom half of each of those innings, as Blake ripped an RBI double in the fourth and Lepre did the same in the fifth. In the sixth, Hinchy led off with a double down the left field line and scored on Trevor DeMerritt's sac fly to right.
On the mound, Ian Bentley (5-2) earned the win for NJIT, tossing all seven innings, allowing three runs and seven hits, while striking out six.
For the Danes, starter Joe Romero (2-1) took the loss, allowing six runs and seven hits, while striking out five in four frames. Out the pen, Andrew Jaurique, Joey Moore, and Daniel Castro shared the final three innings.
At the plate, Miller (2-for-4) and Lepre (2-for-3) led the team again with two hits apiece.
The four-game series between UAlbany and NJIT concludes Sunday with a doubleheader beginning at noon.
