Sunday, May 13, 2012

UAlbany Baseball Sweeps Binghamton In America East Doubleheader Action

Albany, N.Y. - Third baseman Jeff Welsh went 3-for-4 with a home run in game one, while first baseman Josh Nethaway went 4-for-5 with two doubles in the nightcap to lead UAlbany to a doubleheader sweep of Binghamton in American East Conference baseball action on Saturday afternoon at Varsity Field. The Great Danes posted a 9-7 win over the Bearcats in the first game, before holding on for an 8-6 victory in game two. UAlbany is the visiting team on the scoreboard for this weekend series, as it was originally supposed to be played in Vestal.

UAlbany scored two runs in the second and third innings, while Binghamton recorded single runs in each of those frames, to give the Great Danes a 4-2 advantage after three. Welsh was responsible for sending the first two runs home on an RBI single in the second, while Nethaway smacked a two-run double down the left field line in the third. The Great Danes got another run on the board in the fourth, as Nolan Gaige tripled into left center to score Craig Lepre.

UAlbany broke the game open with four runs in the fifth, led by Welsh's two-run shot. Brian Bullard and Mike Tirri also knocked out RBI doubles to account for the other two runs. Binghamton came back with three runs in the bottom of the inning to pull within 9-5, and added single runs in each of the final two frames, but reliever Greg Lutton got the final batter to strike out swinging to end the game.
Lutton earned a save in a 1.2 inning outing on the mound for the Great Danes, while starter Zach Kraham fanned seven in five and a third innings on the mound. Mike Augliera took the loss for Binghamton, allowing all nine runs in 4.1 innings of work. Mike Kaufman came in for the final 2.2 innings for the Bearcats, striking out three and allowing two hits.

Both teams scored single runs in the first inning of the nightcap, before UAlbany took a 2-1 lead in the third on a solo home run by Gordon Madej to lead off the frame. The Great Danes added single runs in the fifth and sixth. Pete DiResta knocked an RBI double into left field in the fifth, while Nethaway came home on a sacrifice fly by Bullard in the sixth. Binghamton scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth, taking a 5-4 lead, but UAlbany responded with two runs in the top of the seventh to regain the lead. Madej came home on a wild pitch before Gaige crossed the plate on a fielder's choice.

The Great Danes added a single run in the eight, as Vincent Martorelli knocked in Bullard with a double down the left field line. Binghamton responded with a single run in the bottom of the inning, but the Great Danes sealed up the two-run victory with an RBI single by Nethaway that scored D.J. Hoagboon in the ninth. Ryan White allowed one hit in the bottom of the inning, but got two quick outs to give UAlbany the sweep.
White earned the save on the mound, while starter Sean Lucas got the win after a five-inning performance, scattering five hits and striking out three. Matt Dybus threw 2.2 innings for the Great Danes, fanning three opposing batters.

UAlbany (18-29-1, AE 12-7) and Binghamton (19-22, AE 10-7) will return to action on Sunday with another doubleheader. The Great Danes moved up to third in the league standings, sealing up a spot in the America East Championship.

Press release & photo provided by UAlbany Athletics

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