Baseball's Late Comeback Bid Falls Short in 4-3 Loss to UNC Greensboro

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Greensboro, N.C. – Ray Quinones went 2-for-3 with a triple and a run batted in as UNC Greensboro rallied from behind to defeat UAlbany, 4-3, at UNCG Stadium on Friday, March 20. The Great Danes had multiple chances to take the lead in the later innings and open the three-game series with a victory. However, the squad stranded two runners in scoring position in the sixth and ninth frames to settle for the one-run loss.

UAlbany pushed the first three runs of the game across the plate in the top of the second inning with two outs. After Jim Banks and Sean Donovan recorded singles, Michael Tirri hit a two-run double down the right field line. The freshman scored on the next play when Pete Eichner lined a single through the right side.

UNC Greensboro (5-9) took its first lead by plating four runs in the bottom of the third. With two runners on base, Corey Overholtzer singled to left center which put the Spartans on the scoreboard. After a wild pitch made it a one-run game, Quinones knotted the score at three with a triple to left center. A sacrifice fly to left by Trevor Edwards put the home team ahead for the first time.

After stranding two runners in scoring position in the sixth inning, the Great Danes made one push in the top of the ninth. With one out, Banks singled through the right side. After Peter DiResta replaced Banks as a pinch runner, Donovan followed with a double to right center. DiResta was held up at third, and UAlbany had two runners in scoring position with one out for Tirri. However, the freshman struck out swinging, and Eichner grounded out to third to end the comeback bid and the ballgame.

UAlbany’s David Kubiak was credited with the loss and dropped to 0-4 overall on the mound this spring. Two of the four runs he gave up were unearned, including the game winner. The sophomore struck out three and issued just one walk in six innings of work. Dave Noble pitched two scoreless innings in relief, and fanned one batter. UNC Greensboro’s Greg Martin improved to 1-3 this spring with the win. He gave up three runs which were all earned as well as seven hits in seven innings. Martin also struck out five batters, and did not issue any walks. Rob Gilliam pitched the final three innings for the Spartans. He surrendered two hits and recorded three strikeouts to earn his first save this season.

UAlbany (2-11) and UNC Greensboro will continue the three-game series in Greensboro, N.C. on Saturday, March 21 at 2 p.m.