Albany, N.Y. - Joe Charron knocked a single to centerfield to drive in two runs as Binghamton scored four unanswered runs in the top of the ninth, leading the Bearcats to a 10-6 win over UAlbany in America East Conference baseball action at Varsity Field on Friday, April 6.
Both teams recorded two runs in the third inning, and UAlbany tacked on another in the fifth to take a 3-2 lead. Steve Wyland drove an RBI single up the middle to score Phil Marchese, who led off the inning with a double. Binghamton responded in the top half of the sixth to tie the game at 3-3 before posting a three-run seventh.
After UAlbany's Josh Willimott walked Henry Dunn to break the tie, shortstop Justin Smucker doubled to right field to drive in two more runs for Binghamton (7-8, AE 1-0). The Great Danes attempted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh frame, scoring two runs. Senior catcher Tom Hill doubled to right center, scoring Wyland, who reached on a walk to start the inning. Hill stole third before shortstop Sean Donovan knocked an RBI single to right.
Right-handed reliever Alexander Beaulieu retired the final two batters of the eighth inning with strikeouts to hold the Bearcats scoreless in their half of the frame. Leo Corvino tied the game at 6-6 with an RBI single in the bottom of the inning, driving in designated hitter Chris Wood.
Binghamton would avoid extra innings by scoring four runs in the top of the ninth. Ryan James scored the first on a passed ball, followed by Charron's RBI single. Charron then stole second base, and Jeff Monaco would score on the throw to give the Bearcats the four-run margin of victory.
Junior right-hander Zachary Groh tossed six innings for Binghamton, striking out nine and allowing three earned runs. Junior Khalid Afify earned the save for the Bearcats. Smucker and James finished with three hits apiece, while Smucker and Charron each recorded two RBI.
Marchese recorded three hits for UAlbany, while Wyland drove in a team-high three runs. Wyland, Hill and Donovan all added multiple hits for the Great Danes. Starter John Naples recorded three strikeouts and allowed two earned runs in 5.1 innings of work. Beaulieu got the loss for UAlbany, after fanning four in 1.2 innings.
UAlbany (10-12, AE 0-1) will host Binghamton in a continuation of the four-game series on Saturday, with a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m.
****************
Binghamton (7-8, AE 1-0) 002 001 304 - 10 11 1
UAlbany (10-12, AE 0-1) 002 010 210 - 6 11 2
Zachary Groh, Murphy Smith (7), Greg Lane (8), Khalid Afify (8) and Pat Haughie.
John Naples, Matthew Herrick (6), Jeff Kaier (6), Josh Willimott (7), Alexander Beaulieu (8) and Tom Hill.
