Fresh off a three-game sweep of conference rival University of Hartford, the Binghamton University baseball team will look to stay hot this weekend in a three-game set against Stony Brook University.
Binghamton (16-18, 8-2 America East) sits in second place in the America East, trailing only the Seawolves (28-9, 9-1 AE) who are currently riding a nine-game winning streak.
The Bearcats won just seven of their first 23 non-conference games, but have been able to right the ship during conference play as they have ridden solid pitching performances to their 8-2 America East mark, including three-game sweeps over Hartford and University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Junior right-hander Mike Augliera has anchored the BU rotation, posting a 2-0 mark and 0.75 ERA through his first three conference starts. In his outing against Hartford last weekend, Augliera recorded a complete-game shutout, striking out eight without walking a batter. He surrendered only three hits and earned the win with the Bearcats scoring the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning. The 1-0 victory, his fifth overall win of the season, earned Augliera America East Pitcher of the Week honors.
The conference office also honored freshman centerfielder Bill Bereszniewicz, tabbing him as Rookie of the Week. In three games against the Hawks, Bereszniewicz went 6-for-13 from the plate, good for a .462 batting average. In the series finale, he recorded three hits, including a two-run game-tying double in a 5-3 Bearcat victory.
While Augliera has been nearly flawless for Binghamton, senior staff ace James Giulietti has also delivered three quality outings. In three conference starts, the southpaw has posted a 2-0 mark, registering a 2.25 ERA. In 20 innings pitched, he has surrendered only 19 hits, allowing five earned runs while striking out 16.
Augliera’s 0.75 conference ERA ranks first in the AE, but Stony Brook starters occupy the following three positions. In a series that will have major implications on conference seeding, Binghamton’s rotation will need to deliver.
Right-handed junior Nick Tropeano boasts a 3-0 conference mark for the Seawolves, registering a 0.90 ERA that stands only behind Augliera. Over 20 innings, Tropeano has surrendered 15 hits and only two earned runs, fanning 26 batters for a conference-leading 11.70 strikeouts per nine innings pitched.
Freshman Brandon McNitt has also been lethal for the Seawolves, earning a win in each of his four conference appearances. The right-hander, who has made three America East starts, ranks third in the conference with a 1.23 ERA. He has allowed only three earned runs over 22 innings.
Stony Brook and Binghamton lead the conference in team batting with averages of .360 and .301, respectively.
Seawolf infielder William Carmona ranks first in the America East in batting average, posting a .476 average over 10 conference games. Over that span, he has totaled 20 hits and 11 RBI, including two home runs.
For Binghamton, seniors Peter Bregartner and Jeff Skelhorne-Gross join Carmona as the only three players with conference batting averages over .400. In 10 games, Bregartner has totaled 15 hits and three RBI, while in nine games Skelhorne-Gross has tallied 10 hits and 12 RBI.
While Carmona’s .476 average ranks first in conference play, his .374 overall average stands second overall behind teammate Travis Jankowski.
Binghamton junior first baseman Dave Ciocchi, who has anchored the BU lineup this season, ranks third in the conference with a .358 batting average and first on the team in average, hits (43), RBI (26) and total bases (70).
Binghamton and Stony Brook are scheduled to square off again in mid-May in Vestal, but this weekend could very well help determine the true power of the conference. With two wins, Binghamton would take over first place in the America East heading into the final stretch of its schedule.
The three-game series is set to begin with a doubleheader tomorrow at noon, with the finale scheduled for Sunday at noon. The games, though home for Stony Brook, will be played at Dowling College in Oakdale, N.Y.