UAlbany Earns Split With Maine in America East Conference Baseball Doubleheader

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Orono, Maine – Sophomore Brendan Rowland picked up four hits and two runs batted in to lead UAlbany to an America East Conference baseball doubleheader split at Maine on Friday, April 11 at Mahaney Diamond. The Great Danes took the opener, 11-8, while the Black Bears recorded a 6-0 shut-out in the nightcap.

In game one, the Black Bears got on the board in the first on a solo home run by Curt Smith. The Great Danes answered back in the top of the second with five runs on three hits. They loaded the bases on a pair of hit batsman around a single by junior Ryan Gugel. Sophomore Pete Eichner followed with a two-run single to plate Mike Konstanty and Gugel. After a walk and a strikeout, Brendan Rowland singled home Tom Zink for a 3-1 lead. The final two runs of the inning scored on as Sean Donovan reached base on a fielder’s choice.

UAlbany (6-24-1, AE 2-4) scored single runs in the third and fourth innings and twice in the fifth to take a 9-3 lead. Konstanty scored in the third on a single by Gugel after being hit by a pitch and advancing to third on a throwing error. In the fourth, Rowland reached on a bunt single, stole second and scored on a double by Dave West.

Maine (11-14-1, AE 1-1) registered two runs in the bottom of the fourth on a two-run triple by Jarrett Lukas, but Gary Pitcheralle slammed a two-run homer to left center in the fifth to extend the lead back to 9-3. The Black Bears narrowed the contest to 9-7 in the fifth with four runs on four hits. Smith started the scoring with a bases loaded single to left. Myckie Lugbauer followed with a single to right to score Billy Cather, while Matt Howard scored on an error by the right fielder. Smith capped the inning as he stole home on a double steal.

The Great Danes tacked on insurance runs in the seventh and ninth innings to seal the win. Gugel led off the seventh by being hit by a pitch and scored two batters later as he stole home on squeeze play. In the ninth, Eichner singled, stole second and came in on a single to center by Rowland. Maine scored an unearned run in the bottom of the ninth to deliver the final score.

In the nightcap, the Black Bears scored three unearned runs in the second inning for the only scoring they would need. Following two walks around a single, Tony Patane scored from second on an error by the first baseman. Two batters later, pinch runner Joey Martin crossed the plate as Cather reached on a fielder’s choice. The final run of the frame was scored on an error by the catcher.

Maine extended the lead in the third with a pair of runs. Smith led off the frame with a double to right center. Two batters later, Kevin McAvoy knocked in Smith with a double of his own. He later scored on a passed ball to give the Black Bears a 5-0 lead. Patane tallied a run in the sixth inning after reaching on an error, moving to third on another error and scoring on a dropped ball at the back-end of a double play attempt.

Junior Sean Gregory picked up his second win of the season in the opener, recording three strikeouts in five innings out of the bullpen. Joe Miller took the loss for the Black Bears, allowing seven runs (five earned) in four innings. In game two, Casey Walsh was tagged with his sixth loss of the season, going all six innings, yielding six runs (two earned) on five hits. Kevin Scanlon recorded his first career win for Maine, pitching all seven innings, striking out 12 and allowing just three hits.

The Great Danes and Black Bears continue their series with a single game on Saturday. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.

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UAlbany (6-23-1, AE 2-3) 051 120 101 - 11 7 3
Maine (10-14-1, AE 0-1) 100 240 001 - 8 13 4

UAlbany: Cory Warrings, Sean Gregory (5, W, 2-3) and Ryan Gugel.
Maine: Joe Miller (L, 3-2), Alejandro Balsinde (5), Jonathan Balentina (6), Justin Latta (7) and Joe Mercurio, Myckie Lugbauer (9).

UAlbany (6-24-1, AE 2-4) 000 000 0 - 0 3 6
Maine (11-14-1, AE 1-1) 032 001 X - 6 5 1

UAlbany: Casey Walsh (L, 0-6) and Ryan Gugel.
Maine: Kevin Scanlon (W, 1-2) and Myckie Lugbauer.