Baseball Clipped, 6-4, At Central Connecticut
BOX SCORE
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – The University at Albany baseball team held a 4-3 advantage into the seventh inning Thursday afternoon, but the hosting Central Connecticut Blue Devils (19-15) came from behind to take a 6-4 win away from the Great Danes in the non-conference clash.
UAlbany (7-27) totaled eight hits led by Craig Lepre and Richard Bacon’ 2-for-4 performances.
On the mound, redshirt junior Stephen Carey (0-2) took the loss out of the bullpen. Starter Joey Moore threw the opening 4.1 innings, allowing three runs and three hits, while striking out two. In relief, Andrew Jaurique, Carey, and Daniel Castro saw time on the hill.
The Great Danes made the first mark on the board, scoring one run in the top of the first. D.J. Hoagboon led off with a single to left center, stole second and came around to score on a throwing error.
UAlbany took a 3-0 lead in the third, using a two-out rally to plate two. Senior Brian Bullard got things going with a single through the right side. Evan Harasta also singled and Josh Nethaway was hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Lepre. Lepre came through with an RBI single to right field, bringing in two.
However, the hosting Blue Devils battled back, knotting the score, 3-3, in the bottom of the fifth. With runners on second and third, J.P. Sportman lined a two-run triple to left center, and Anthony Turgeon knocked in Sportman with an RBI single to left field.
The Great Danes regained the lead in the top of the sixth, as Lepre hit a one-out single to right and then advanced to third on a failed pickoff attempt. With two outs, Bacon brought Lepre home with a single to centerfield, giving the Danes a 4-3 advantage.
In the seesawing contest, the Blue Devils caught back up in the bottom of the seventh when Sportman led off with a triple to right center. Next batter, Franklin Jennings tied the score with an RBI single up the middle. After a call to the bullpen, Carey kept CCSU off the board for the rest of the inning including a play at the plate and a strikeout.
However, the Blue Devils struck again in the eighth, taking the lead for good. With bases loaded after a hit by pitch, sac bunt, single and intentional walk, the Danes held off another run with a throw-out at home. Unfortunately, with two outs, Turgeon came through with a two-run scoring single to center.
Rotating through five arms, Kevin Connolly (2-0) earned the win, throwing one inning of relief. Josh Ingham tossed the ninth and picked up the save.
Up next, UAlbany travels to NJIT for a four-game non-conference series. The Danes will play doubleheaders starting at noon on Saturday and Sunday.
