University of Albany Baseball Splits Non-Conference Doubleheader With Fairleigh Dickinson - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Teaneck, N.J. – Senior right hander Sean Gregory earned his first save of the season to lead UAlbany to a doubleheader split against Fairleigh Dickinson in non-conference baseball action on Friday afternoon at FDU Field. The Great Danes claimed a 6-4 win in the second game of the day, while the Knights posted a 2-0 win in the early contest.

UAlbany opened up the nightcap with three runs in the top of the first. Right hander Ray Courtney hit Kyle Crean and walked Dave West and Brendan Rowland to load the bases with one out. Crean scored on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Gugel to score the Great Danes’ first run of the day. Freshman catcher Ralph Keppler drove a single down the right field line to send West and Rowland across home plate, and followed with a stolen base to move into scoring position. Jonathan Scott came in to relieve Courtney and struck out Sean Donovan to end the UAlbany rally.

Fairleigh Dickinson responded in the bottom of the second, scoring twice. Joe Martino knocked a double to left center, scoring Brian Dillon, who reached on a UAlbany fielding error. Martino later scored on an RBI single by Patrick Furey. Furey stole second and advanced to third on a groundout, but UAlbany pitcher Austin Chase got Mike Eliasen to line out to right field to end the inning. The Knights tied the game at 3-3 in the third as Zachary Sand drove a homer over the left field fence.

UAlbany regained its lead in the top of the fifth, as Gary Pitcheralle reached and then later scored on fielding errors by FDU. Crean had a base hit that advanced Pitcheralle, and later scored on an RBI single by Rowland. Rowland completed the Great Danes’ scoring in the inning as crossed home on an RBI ground out by Adam Cutspec. FDU responded in the bottom of the frame with one run as Matt Holsman, who reached with a single to short, scored on a throwing error.

UAlbany reliever Sean Gregory got three quick outs in the bottom of the seventh to seal the win for the Great Danes. Starter Austin Chase went 4.1 innings on the mound to get the win, fanning three. Gregory struck out four opposing batters in his 2.2 innings of work, earning his first save of the season.

The first game remained scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning, as Fairleigh Dickinson loaded the bases. Erik Pollag reached on a UAlbany fielding error, before pitcher Dave Kubiak issued two straight walks. Kubiak, who had three strikeouts going into the inning, then hit Mark Morton with a pitch to send Pollag home. JT Sherba lined out to right field to end the inning. The Knights added a single run in the bottom of the sixth on a solo homer by Brian Dillon.

The Great Danes had chances to score in the second, as FDU pitcher John Meadus walked the first two batters he faced in the inning. UAlbany loaded the bases on a throwing error by the Knights’ second baseman, but Meadus struck out Mike Tirri and induced a ground out by Pete Eichner to get out of trouble.

Meadus tossed a complete-game shutout, striking out eight and allowing just one hit. Kubiak also went the distance, fanning four in six innings of work.