ALBANY, N.Y. – One day after defeating Manhattan, the University at Albany baseball team (17-22, 4-11 AE) hosted Monmouth (16-22, 8-7 MAAC) for its fifth of eight consecutive home games. Wednesday, the Great Danes defeated the Hawks in walk-off fashion, 4-3.
Monmouth scored first, seeing one run cross the plate in the top of the third after the first two innings passed without a run scored. Monmouth had the bases loaded during the inning but only managed to score one run.
Monmouth scored once again in the top of the sixth, following a leadoff triple to right and then a sacrifice fly to left, to take a 2-0 lead.
The Great Danes finally got on the board in the bottom of the sixth. After Stephen Loreng reached safely on a fielding error by Monmouth's second baseman, Nick Kondo hit a double to left center that allowed Loreng to score from first.
Monmouth regained a two-run lead in the top of the seventh. The Hawks threatened with the bases loaded in the top of the eighth, but were unable to come away with any runs from the effort.
UAlbany tied the game in the bottom of the eighth. Kyle Sacks led off with a single up the middle. Loreng followed with a single of his own, and both runners advanced a base on a fielding error by Monmouth's left fielder. After Kondo and Evan Harasta struck out, Connor Powers reached safely on a throwing error by Monmouth's shortstop, allowing Sacks and Loreng to score, knotting the game a three.
With one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, Patrick Lagravinese hit a single to left. Next, Marc Wangenstein hit a single up the middle, allowing Lagravinese to advance to third. Sacks came to the plate and hit a grounder to second, allowing Lagravinese to score, giving UAlbany the walk-off win, 4-3.
Six Great Danes had a hit in Wednesday's game. Powers led the team with two RBIs on the day. UAlbany starter Kenny McLean lasted 3.0 innings, allowing one run on two hits with four strikeouts and one walk. Ray Weber pitched 3.0 innings in relief, allowing one run on one hit with two strikeouts. Dominic Savino and Hunter Torres combined for the final 3.0 innings, allowing one run on four hits with two strikeouts and one walk between them.
“I think it was a close game,” said head coach Jon Mueller. “It's nice to win those one-run games at home. I thought it was a nice job by Kenny, and Ray was electric today. We gutted it out against a good team today.”
Next, the Great Danes will host a rematch series against Stony Brook starting on Saturday, May 6. On Sunday, the team will honor the seniors on the roster with a short ceremony preceding the series finale.
