Baseball Falls To Central Connecticut, 10-1

Photo: Freshman Evan Harasta drove in UAlbany's lone run Tuesday afternoon.

BOX SCORE  I  SEASON STATS

ALBANY, N.Y. – Jumping out to a 6-0 lead in the first two innings, the visiting Central Connecticut Blue Devils overcame the University at Albany baseball team, 10-1, Tuesday afternoon at Varsity Field. The non-conference loss snapped the Great Danes' five-game win-streak, dropping their record to 20-17-1 on the season, while CCSU improved to 21-19 overall.

Leadoff batter Dyalan Delacruz set the tone of the afternoon with a triple in the top of the first off UAlbany starter Cameron Sorgie. With two outs, a walk and Mike Washburn's single up the middle plated one, and Josh Ingham capped the rally with a run-scoring double.

Central Connecticut added four more runs in the second inning to take a 6-0 head start. After a walk, single, and fielding error loaded the bases with two outs, Tyler McIntyre lined a bases-clearing double to centerfield, and Washburn added another RBI single up the middle.

The Great Danes scored their lone run of the ballgame in the bottom of the second, as Brian Bullard, Jeff Welsh, and Evan Harasta started the inning off with three consecutive singles. Unfortunately, Bullard was caught stealing, but Welsh put the Danes on the board, scoring on Harasta's liner up the middle.

The bats fell silent until the top of the sixth when Central Connecticut crossed the plate two more times, stringing together two singles and a double off reliever Kevin Archbold.

The Blue Devils added a pair of single runs in the eighth and ninth frames for the final 10-1 score.

While UAlbany did have nine hits in the game, some opportunities were eluded, as seven were left stranded. Senior Jeff Welsh led the squad with a 3-for-4 effort with a run scored, while Bullard went 2-for-4 at the plate.

On staff day, the Great Danes used five arms on the mound. Sorgie (2-4) took the loss, throwing the opening two innings. Freshman Brendan Ryan, Archbold, freshman Ryan Stinar, and senior Derek Zielinski all took a turn on the hill.

For CCSU, starter Jesse Frawley (1-0) earned the win, throwing six and a third frames, allowing one run, nine hits, while striking out four.

Up next, the second-place Great Danes host the first-place Maine Black Bears in a key America East Conference series this weekend. The squads will battle head-to-head for the top spot in the league standings. Saturday's doubleheader is set for 12:00 p.m., followed by a single game Sunday, also at noon.