Baseball Splits Saturday's Twin Bill At Binghamton
BOX ONE I BOX TWO
VESTAL, N.Y. -- The University at Albany baseball team rallied for a series-opening win over Binghamton on Saturday afternoon at Bearcats Sports Complex, scoring three runs in the top of the 10th for an 11-9 extra-inning victory. However, the hosts took the nightcap, 7-4, in the seven-inning affair to split the America East Conference doubleheader. The Great Danes are now 10-14 on the year and 4-3 in conference play, while Binghamton holds a 12-14 overall record and 6-7 mark in the America East.
In game one, Binghamton accelerated out to an 8-0 advantage, scoring three runs in the fourth on three hits, and five runs in the fifth on six hits, including a trio of doubles.
However, UAlbany battled back, plating two runs in the sixth on senior catch Craig Lepre's two-run home run that also brought in freshman Shawn Blake.
In the third, Karson Canaday and Blake strung together a pair of singles for a run, and in the eighth, UAlbany tied the ballgame up, 8-8, with five unearned runs. The Danes loaded the bases on Lepres' leadoff error to second, Trevor DeMerritt's fielder's choice groundout, and Canday's walk. With two outs, Will Miller and Alex Lushkevich drew back-to-back walks to plate two runs, and Blake came through in the clutch with a game-tying three-run double to center.
Both squads put a leadoff runner on in the ninth, but neither moved past second, sending the game into extras.
In the 10th, Miller led off with a double to left-center, Blake was intentionally walked, setting up Matt Hinchy's two-run double. Lepre followed with an RBI single, giving the Danes an 11-8 advantage.
Binghamton looked to rally, drawing a leadoff hit by pitch. After a fielder's choice, Jake Thomas singled to center and Reed Gamache knocked one in with a base hit to center, putting two on with one out. However, UAlbany reliever Joey Moore ended the ballgame with a lineout and a strikeout to earn the win.
Moore (2-1) held Binghamton to a run and two hits, while striking out two in the final two frames. Terry Dugdale threw 3.1 innings of relief, allowing just a run and seven hits, while striking out two.
Offensively, UAlbany totaled 15 hits led by Blake who went 3-for-5 with four RBIs and two runs scored. Lepre also knocked three hits with three runs batted in and two runs scored.
"It was a tremendous team effort to battle back from an 8-0 deficit," said Head Coach Jon Mueller. "Terry Dugdale and Joey Moore kept us around until the offense brought us back."
In the nightcap, Binghamton scored one run in the second and held the lead from there. They added three runs in the fifth, taking advantage of a leadoff double and back-to-back errors.
While UAlbany got on the board in the fifth with a run on Lushkevich's RBI single that plated Adam Mund, the Bearcats responded with three more runs in the bottom of the inning on four hits and a sac fly for a 7-1 lead.
The Danes did not go quietly, however, as they rallied for three runs in their final at-bats. Eric Mueller reached on a leadoff error, Canaday singled to first, and Miller ripped a two-run triple to right-centerfield. Miller crossed the plate on passed ball, making the score 7-4. Blake looked to keep the rally going with a single to right with two outs, but Bearcat pitcher Mike Bunal logged a strikeout to end the game.
Bunal (4-3) earned the complete game win, allowing four runs (two earned) and eight hits, while striking out six.
For UAlbany, starter Stephen Woods (2-4) took the loss, allowing four runs (two earned) and five hits, while striking out four in 4.1 innings of work.
At the plate, the Danes totaled eight hits led by Mund's 2-for-3 effort.
UAlbany and Binghamton close the series with Sunday's rubber match at 1 p.m.
