It’s difficult enough to prepare for a three-game series against a team that has played eight games more than your team has. It’s even harder when that team calls sunny, warm Virginia home, while your team is stationed in an area that seems unable to let go of winter.

Despite its disadvantages, the Binghamton men’s baseball team (2-4) still managed to pull an impressive win against host Radford University (6-8) to win the last game of the weekend series, and avoid the sweep, by a score of 8-3. Radford won the first two games 9-8 and 9-2.

The weekend started with a tough loss for BU on Friday, when the host Highlanders rallied for three runs in the final two innings of play to edge the Bearcats 9-8. Three Binghamton pitchers gave up 17 hits and the Bearcats stranded 13 men on base. Radford right fielder Corey Greene hit his second home run of the game, bringing the teams to a tie in the 8th inning, and paving the way for Radford to take the lead and win it in the bottom of the 9th.

However disappointing, it was still a good day for senior first baseman Brendon Hitchcock, who finished 3-for-4 with a RBI and two runs scored. Senior shortstop Justin Smucker also had a good day, finishing 2-for-5 and extending his hitting streak to 17 games dating back to last season.

Saturday brought another loss in the form of a 9-2 beating by the Highlanders. The Bearcats were held to only three hits and committed three errors, which led to four unearned runs. Junior pitcher Scott Diamond picked up the loss for the Bearcats, and Will Naylor picked up the complete game win for Radford.

The series was salvaged Sunday by the Bearcats’ bats and an impressive pitching performance. Senior Mike Van Gorder pitched a gem, tossing five shutout innings, allowing only three hits and striking out three. Van Gorder, who has a win and a loss on the season, lowered his ERA to 0.93.

Offensively Hitchcock had the biggest day, going 3-for-4 and raising his season average to .455. Senior second baseman Matt Simek added two hits, one RBI and two runs scored.

Though the beginning of the season does count toward the season record, pre-conference play is more about getting the players in good form, something that head coach Tim Sinicki is serious about.

‘This time of year,’ Sinicki said, ‘we’re trying to get better every time we take the field. We’re practicing inside and playing teams that have more games under their belt, so it’s important to see that our guys are getting more comfortable in the box and off the mound, something that was shown on Sunday.’

Binghamton will be playing in the Philadelphia Baseball Bash this weekend, facing St. Joseph’s and Villanova on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

St. Joseph’s (2-12) won its second game of the year, against Sacred Heart on March 9 after dropping 10 straight to open the season. Villanova (8-6) lost by one run to La Salle in its last contest.