Baseball Drops Two To Stony Brook
BOX ONE I BOX TWO
ALBANY, N.Y. -- In Saturday's America East Conference doubleheader featuring the top two teams in the standings, the hosting University at Albany baseball team fell 15-3 and 2-1 to Stony Brook. With the losses, the Great Danes fell to 11-18 on the season and 5-5 in conference play, while the Seawolves improved to 22-12 overall and 11-2 in the America East.
In game one's nine-inning affair, Stony Brook broke onto the scoreboard with two runs in the fourth on Andruw Gazzola's two-run double, and one run in the fifth, as Casey Baker lined a leadoff double and scored on Cole Creighton's sacrifice fly.
However, the Great Danes tied it up in the bottom of the fifth, as Adam Mund ripped a single down the left field line and Will Miller single to left. After a fielding error loaded the bases, freshman Shawn Blake belted a clutch two-run double to the centerfield gap. With one out, Matt Hinchy's groundout to third, tied the game, 3-3.
However, that would be the final run for UAlbany as Stony Brook took control from there. The Seawolves added two runs in the sixth, three in the seventh, four in the eighth, and two more in the ninth for a 15-3 advantage. Stony Brook totaled 18 hits in the contest led by Toby Handley's 4-for-6 effort with three RBIs and two runs scored.
On the mound, starter Brendan Ryan (1-3) took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) and eight hits, while striking out two. Terry Dugdale, Sam DeCelle, and Cameron Sorgie all made appearances out of the bullpen.
Stony Brook's Tyler Honahan (6-2) earned the win, allowing three runs (two earned) and seven hits, while striking out six in the opening six innings.
UAlbany totaled eight hits at the plate, led by Miller's 3-for-4 performance.
In the nightcap, the offense slowed, as the squads combined for just three runs and eight hits in the pitchers' duel.
Stony Brook took a 1-0 lead in the second, as Baker drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, to third on a wild pitch, and scored on Jeremy Giles' groundout to short.
In the third, Baker belted a solo home run over the right field fence, giving the Seawolves a 2-0 advantage.
UAlbany cut the margin to one in the bottom of the fifth, as Eric Mueller and Karson Canaday lined back-to-back singles to start the inning off. Mueller moved to third on Miller's sac bunt and scored on Alex Lushkevich's sac fly.
However, that would be the Danes' final run of the game, as reliever Cameron Stone held UAlbany off the rest of the way. Starter Daniel Zamora (4-2) earned the win, allowing a run and four hits, while striking out seven in five innings of work. Stone picked up the save, tossing two scoreless innings, allowing one hit, while striking out three.
UAlbany's Stephen Woods (2-5) took the tough-luck loss, throwing the complete game. He was credited with just two runs and three hits, while striking out seven.
Sunday's series finale between UAlbany and Stony Brook will begin at 12 p.m. at Varsity Field.
