University of Albany Baseball Wins America East Opener Over Maine, 11-10; Ralph Keppler Has 3 Hits & 3 RBIs - UAlbany Sports 2010

Albany, N.Y. - Pete Eichner hit a three-run homer, while catcher Ralph Keppler finished with three hits, three runs scored and three RBI to lead UAlbany to a 11-10 win over Maine in the America East Conference baseball opener on Saturday afternoon at Varsity Field. It was the first league game for both teams.

After Maine tied the game at 10-10 in the top of the eighth with an RBI single by Taylor Lewis, UAlbany's Kyle Crean drove in Keppler in the bottom of the frame for the go-ahead run. Closer Brian Gauthier entered the game in the ninth for the Great Danes, earning the save with a strikeout and two groundouts to end the game.

UAlbany took a 9-3 lead in the fourth inning, behind the home run by Eichner. The Great Danes put up a single run in the first inning and scored four in the third, taking advantage of several Maine missteps, including an error, two passed balls and a wild pitch. The Black Bears fired back, scoring three runs in both the fifth and the sixth. Shortstop Tony Patane drove in two runs in the fifth with a double down the left field line, while leftfielder Ian Leisenheimer was responsible for all three runs in the sixth with a homer to left centerfield.

UAlbany took a 10-9 lead in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI single by Crean that scored Eichner. The Great Dane defense held off attempted rallies by Maine in the seventh and eighth innings, turning double plays in both frames, while allowing just one run on three hits.

Gauthier earned his first save of the season in his one inning of work. Reliever Greg Lutton earned the win, going two innings for the Great Danes, while starter Dave Kubiak struck out seven in six innings on the mound. Justin Latta took the loss for Maine (15-14, AE 0-1). Starter Stephen Perakslis went three and a third innings with eight strikeouts, while reliever Keith Bilodeau tossed four complete frames, fanning six. Maine outhit the Great Danes, 15-12, but committed four errors.

UAlbany (2-20, AE 1-0), which halted a nine-game skid with the win, won its conference opener for the second straight season. The Great Danes will return to action against the Black Bears on Sunday, with a double header starting at 12 p.m.



Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information