UAlbany Baseball Drops Season Opener on the Road at UNC Greensboro

Greensboro, N.C. - Second baseman Ray Quinones recorded two hits and scored two runs to lead UNC Greensboro to an 8-4 win over UAlbany in the Great Danes' season-opener at UNCG Stadium on Friday afternoon.

UAlbany took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. Freshman catcher Josh Nethaway knocked an RBI single up the middle to score Pete Eichner, who drew a walk to reach base. The Spartans responded in the bottom of the frame, as outfielder Chris Barker singled and later scored on an RBI double by shortstop Eric Brindle.

The Great Danes went ahead 3-1 in the third as Brendan Rowland and Mike Tirri recorded back-to-back walks. Rowland scored the first run of the frame on a fielding error by the UNCG second baseman, which also allowed Tirri to advance to third. Eichner drove in Tirri with a two-out single to left to give UAlbany the two-run lead and force the Spartans to change pitchers.

UNCG, which lost its only game this season to 11th-ranked North Carolina, posted another comeback in the bottom of the inning, as UAlbany pitcher Dave Kubiak walked Corey Overholtzer to start the frame. The centerfielder then advanced to third on a double by catcher Ed Jayjack and scored on a base hit by Quinones. Jayjack scored during the next at bat, as Zach Leach singled up the middle. The Spartans tied the game at 3-3 when Quinones made it home on a UAlbany throwing error. Brindle drove in two additional runs with a single up the middle to give UNCG a 5-3 lead. However, Kubiak struck out two of the last three batters faced to get out of the inning.

The Spartans added two runs in the bottom of the fifth, as Quinones and Leach both made it home on fielder's choice plays. UAlbany attempted a late rally in the top of the eighth, but only managed to get one run home on an RBI double by Brian Bullard. Tyler Hollstegge took the mound for UNCG to start the ninth and got three quick outs to seal the win for the Spartans.

Kubiak took the loss for UAlbany (0-1), despite striking out five Spartan batters in three innings of work. Freshmen Terry McFadden and Christian Garcia saw action on the mound in relief. McFadden tossed two innings with two strikeouts, while Garcia fanned three batters in three frames. Greg Smith earned the win in relief for UNCG (4-1), going five innings with four strikeouts.

The Great Danes will return to action against the Spartans on Saturday with a single game starting at 1 p.m.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information