Albany, N.Y. - Despite strong performances by starting pitchers Austin Chase and Ryan White, UAlbany fell to Cornell, 5-2, in game one of a non-conference doubleheader. The Great Danes and the Big Red then finished the nightcap in a 3-3 tie as the game was called after six innings due to darkness. UAlbany falls to 5-16-1, while Cornell improves to 13-4-1.
In the first game, UAlbany scored first, plating a single run in the bottom of the first inning. A lead-off walk by Nolan Gaige was followed by a single by Joey Tracy. Pete DiResta then drew a walk to load the bases, before a fourth walk brought Gaige home. Cornell tied the game in the top of the fourth on a home run by Brian Billigen.
After four scoreless innings, the Big Red finally ended the scoring drought, getting four runs home in the top of the ninth. Tom D'Alessandro knocked in two runs in the frame, while base hits by Kevin Tatum and Brenton Peters sent the other runs home. UAlbany tried to rally in the bottom of the inning, but only managed to get one run home, as Gordon Madej crossed the plate on a wild pitch.
Tracy and Peters each finished with two hits apiece for their respective teams, while Billigen also knocked two hits for Cornell. Chase went eight and two thirds innings on the mound for UAlbany, scattering five hits while striking out seven opposing batters. Starter Rick Marks went five and a third innings for Cornell, fanning four.
The Big Red got on the board first in game two, plating a run in the second inning. UAlbany tied the game in the bottom of the fourth. Madej knocked an RBI single into center to send Josh Nethaway home. Nethaway also singled with two outs on the board to get the rally started. Both teams scored two runs in the fifth. DiResta sent the first run home with a sacrifice fly that sent Tracy home, while Nethaway singled through the left side to send Greg Muller home. However, after a scoreless sixth inning, it was decided that it was too dark to continue, so the game was called at a 3-3 tie.
UAlbany starter Ryan White went four and a third innings in the no decision, fanning three opposing batters with six scattered hits. Kevin Archbold came in for the final one and two thirds innings and did not allow a hit, while issuing one strikeout.
UAlbany will return to action over the weekend, visiting UMass for a three-game series. The teams will kick off the weekend with a doubleheader on Saturday, starting at noon.
