University of Albany Splits Doubleheader With New York Tech in Non-Conference Baseball Action - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Old Westbury, N.Y. – Sophomore second baseman Kyle Crean went 3-for-3 with two RBI to lead UAlbany to a 7-4 win over New York Tech in the nightcap of a non-conference baseball doubleheader at President’s Field on Saturday afternoon. The Great Danes dropped the first game of the day to the Bears, 4-2.

After New York Tech took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, the UAlbany offense exploded for five runs in the second. The Great Danes loaded the bases on consecutive singles by Mike Tirri and Dave West. Designated hitter Jim Banks reached on a fielder’s choice, but a throwing error allowed Tirri and West to advance. Catcher Ralph Keppler doubled to left to send two runners home, and Chris Bouchard drew a walk to load the bases once again for the Great Danes. The Bears got the first out of the inning when pitcher Frank Ryan issued his only strikeout of the game. Sean Donovan drove in Banks on a groundout to second, while Crean recorded his first hit of the day with a two-RBI single to right to complete the scoring.

UAlbany added a single run in the fourth, while NYIT responded with one run in the bottom half of the frame. Dana Hardy drove in Steve McNamara, who reached on a UAlbany fielding error. The Great Danes added one more insurance run in the top of the seventh with a sacrifice fly by Banks, scoring pinch runner Pete DiResta. New York Tech attempted a rally in the final inning, but could only come up with one run. George Carroll doubled to right center, sending Effery Valdez home, but Chris Ruffler fouled out to end the game.

Freshman Austin Chase pitched four innings, striking out two to earn his first win of the season. Ryan took the loss for NYIT, going just 1.2 innings.

Crean also led the UAlbany offense in the first game, going 3-for-3 with two RBI and one run scored. The game was scoreless until the bottom of the third, as second baseman Brian Smith scored on a groundout by Christian Dienna. UAlbany took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth with a two-run homer by Crean that sailed over the right field wall and scored West, who reached on a throwing error by the Bears.

NYIT rallied in the bottom of the sixth, scoring three unanswered runs to reclaim the lead. The Bears scored an unearned run on a wild pitch, while Sebastian Grazziani drove in Eric Cos with a double down the left field line. Grazziani later scored on a single by Denten Neill to end the frame. Preston Wasmund finished his complete-game performance with two strikeouts in the seventh to win his first game of the season. He fanned eight and walked one while scattering five hits.

Dave Kubiak fell to 0-3 on the season, despite striking out four over five innings of work. Senior right hander Sean Gregory entered in relief to toss the final inning, fanning two. Brendan Rowland and Gary Pitcheralle each recorded a hit in the game.

UAlbany (2-9) will return to action on Sunday, visiting St. John’s for a 1 p.m. game.

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UAlbany 000 020 0 - 2 5 3

NYIT 001 003 x - 4 6 2

UAlbany: Dave Kubiak, Sean Gregory (6) and Ryan Gugel.

NYIT: Preston Wasmund and George Carroll.



UAlbany (2-9) 050 100 1 - 7 11 1

NYIT (3-8) 200 100 1 - 4 10 2

UAlbany: Austin Chase, Dave Noble (5) and Ralph Keppler.

NYIT: Frank Ryan, Matt Doran (2), John Eichhorn (5) and Greg Gilroy.