This Week in UAlbany Athletics: April 20

ALBANY, N.Y. - The University at Albany baseball team returns home for a weekend series, while the men's and women's track & field teams head across the river to RPI. 

Friday, April 24

The UAlbany track and field teams compete in their final local meet on Friday. Heading to RPI for the second time this season, the Capital District Classic will kick off at 2 pm on both the track and the field. Hammer throw and long jump start the field with javelin and shot put set to begin at 3 pm and pole vault and high jump competing at 4 pm.

The Great Danes will enter the weekend of competition - a split one with those accepted competing at the Penn Relays - with several student-athlete ranked in the region and a couple ranked in the nation. Amelia Benjamin (HJ, 40th) and Lalenii Grant (DT, 13th) lead the teams as national leaders. Combined, UAlbany has eight student-athletes in the top 50 of the NCAA East - Brinesha Derrick-Bain (400mH, 49th), Benjamin (HJ, 14th), Samir Gardner (LJ, 36th), Marissa Gordon (LJ, 43rd), Leonard Durau (TJ, 37th), Grant (DT, 8th), Keegan Collins (HT, 30th), and Beatriz Mora Herencia (JT, 45th). The Great Danes hold America East's best mark in 14 events - seven women's and six men's.

UAlbany enters the weekend continuing to build momentum offensively, averaging nearly 10 runs per game over its last three contests. The Great Danes have been led by a balanced lineup, with Michael Maggio and Jaxon Mueller both hitting over .400 in recent action, while Brian Guerrero has emerged as a consistent run producer. On the mound, UAlbany has leaned on Matthew Mariano and Jameson Walsh out of the bullpen to stabilize late innings. According to team stats, the Great Danes are hitting .277 as a group with 39 hits and 32 RBIs across their most recent stretch.

NJIT comes into the series looking to bounce back after a tough start to conference play, relying heavily on timely hitting and aggressive baserunning.

UAlbany holds a slight edge in the all-time series, 7-6, including a win earlier this season, with the matchup typically producing tight, high-scoring games.

Saturday, April 25

The Great Danes have shown resilience throughout the week, highlighted by a walk-off win over CCSU and a comeback victory at Siena. UAlbany’s ability to manufacture runs has been key, drawing 25 walks as a team while consistently putting pressure on opposing pitching. Players like Cooper Loyal and Levi McAllister have contributed in key spots, helping extend innings and spark rallies. Pitching depth will be a focus in the doubleheader, with multiple arms expected to see action.

NJIT will look to respond with improved pitching after allowing early runs in recent outings, aiming to keep UAlbany’s offense in check.

The teams split their matchup earlier this season, reinforcing how evenly matched the two programs have been in recent years.

Sunday, April 26

As the series wraps up, UAlbany will look to carry over its aggressive offensive approach while tightening things up defensively. The Great Danes have flashed power in recent games, including multiple home runs from Tre Mariano and timely extra-base hits throughout the lineup. If UAlbany can combine that production with cleaner innings on the mound, they will be in a strong position to close out the weekend.

NJIT, meanwhile, will aim to capitalize on late-game opportunities, something that has been a factor in previous meetings between the two teams.

Historically, the series has been tightly contested, with six of the last eight meetings decided by three runs or fewer, setting up another competitive finale.

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