Josh Willimott Pitches UAlbany to America East Doubleheader Split with Hartford

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Josh Willimott allowed just four hits over six innings in the opening game to lead UAlbany to a doubleheader split with Hartford in America East Conference baseball action on Sunday, April 6 at Varsity Field. The Great Danes took the opener, 6-2, in seven innings, before falling in the nightcap, 3-1, in 11 innings.

Hartford (9-13, AE 3-1) scored twice in the first inning of the opening game to get on the board. Mike Amendola followed two-out hits by Bill Perry and Matt Walker with a single through the left side to plate both runners. After a scoreless second inning, the Great Danes evened the score with two runs of their own. Junior shortstop Sean Donovan drove in sophomore Ralph Rizzo for the first run with a groundout. Junior Dave West followed with a single to left center to score sophomore Brendan Rowland from third.

UAlbany (5-22-1, AE 1-3) took the lead with four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Junior Gary Pitcheralle doubled to lead off the frame and was followed by a Rowland single and a Donovan walk to load the bases. After a Hartford pitching change and a force out at home, senior Mike Konstanty singled through the left side to score Rowland and Donovan. With two outs, junior catcher Ryan Gugel singled to center field to knock in West and Konstanty with the final runs of the contest.

Willimott picked up his third win of the season, striking out four over six innings, while allowing just two runs on four hits. Junior Dave Noble inherited a runner in the seventh inning, but closed the door on the Hawks with three consecutive outs. Pete Moraski suffered the loss for Hartford, allowing five runs on six hits over four innings.

In game two, UAlbany jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the third inning on three consecutive singles with one-out by Rowland, Donovan and West. The Hawks broke through in the eighth inning with an unearned run to knot the score at one. Adam Bowser started the rally with a two-out double down the left field line. After a pitching change, Ben Sobocinski reached on a fielding error to allow Bowser to score from second.

The Great Danes loaded the bases with two outs in each of the eighth and ninth innings, but could not produce a run. In the 11th inning, Amendola blasted a two-run homer over the fence in left for the winning runs.

Freshman Dave Kubiak, who pitched 7.2 innings and struck out three, while only giving up three hits, did not allow an earned run for the second consecutive start. Junior Sean Gregory took the loss, giving up two runs in an inning on the mound. Steve Dabroski picked up the win in relief for the Hawks, registering one strikeout in two innings.

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Game One
Hartford (8-13, AE 2-1) 200 000 0 - 2 4 0
UAlbany (5-21-1, AE 1-2) 002 040 X - 6 8 1

Hartford: Pete Moraski (L, 1-1), C.J. Browne (5) and Adam Grap.
UAlbany: Josh Willimott (W, 3-1), Dave Noble (7) and Ryan Gugel.

Game Two
Hartford (9-13, AE 3-1) 000 000 010 02 - 3 7 2
UAlbany (5-22-1, AE 1-3) 001 000 000 00 - 1 6 2

Hartford: Marc Toomey, Zach Tarner (8), Justin DiConzo (9), Steve Dabroski (10, W, 1-0) and Mike Amendola.
UAlbany: Dave Kubiak, Dave Noble (8), Sean Gregory (11, L, 1-3) and Ryan Gugel.