After splitting the opening doubleheader of its three-game series against UMBC, Binghamton was victorious in the finale on Sunday to take its fourth America East (AE) series win of the season. Redshirt sophomore starting pitcher Jacob Wloczewski allowed four runs in seven innings in the rubber game while BU’s small-ball strategy and timely errors by the Retrievers led to a 7-5 BU win.
In the final contest, the Retrievers (18-18, 7-7 AE) committed five errors, which led to two unearned runs. Sophomore right fielder Chris McGee reached first on a fielding error by UMBC redshirt sophomore shortstop Mitchell Carroll in the seventh inning, which scored junior catcher Eddie Posavec, who also reached base on a Carroll fielding error.
The run gave Binghamton (17-20, 12-3 AE) a two-run cushion, which would prove to be enough to secure the win. Sophomore reliever Dylan Stock was credited with the save after striking out two in 1 1/3 innings.
“I’m happy that we’re finding ways to keep games close,” said BU head coach Tim Sinicki. “We did a great job this weekend with timely hitting; we played really good defense and we had good efforts from our starting pitchers. It was a really great team effort this weekend and those are the kinds of efforts we’re going to need if we’re going to be successful at the end of the season.”
The Bearcats dropped game one, 5-4, to open the series. Redshirt junior pitcher Jake Cryts gave up five runs in 5 1/3 innings before senior Rob Hardy tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief.
After allowing the go-ahead home run to UMBC freshman third baseman Jamie Switalski, Binghamton was unable to score a run to even the score.
In game two, senior second baseman Reed Gamache went 2-for-4 at the plate, homering in the third to give the Bearcats a one-run advantage. Sophomore designated hitter Jason Agresti followed up in the fourth, doubling to score Posavec from first. Agresti now leads the AE in doubles with 13.
Senior starting pitcher Mike Bunal notched the win, allowing eight hits in seven innings, while striking out three batters. Bunal pitched a complete game in the shortened contest.
Junior left fielder Darian Herncane led the Bearcats to their 6-4 victory, hitting two home runs and driving in three RBIs.
“We have a good situation in terms of versatility,” Sinicki said. “Darian gets opportunities to play on the weekend and we try to get him at-bats when he’s running hot but sometimes he’s streaky.”
The Bearcats’ pitching staff had trouble with the long ball, allowing six homers over the course of the series. UMBC junior catcher Hunter Dolshun was responsible for three of them, including two in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader. The six home runs drove in 10 of the Retrievers’ 14 runs.
In their two wins the Bearcats never trailed but never built up a comfortable lead either, relying instead on competent pitching from the rotation and the bullpen.
The victories allowed Binghamton to stay 2 1/2 games ahead of Stony Brook for first place in the AE. After a two-week break from AE play, the Bearcats will take on the Seawolves in a three-game series that has the potential to affect the race for the regular-season championship.
Since 2007, Binghamton and Stony Brook have been responsible for all but one regular-season conference championship. Before they play SBU, however, the Bearcats will play five games against non-conference opponents.
“This team is really good about keeping perspective in trying not to look so far ahead of ourselves,” Sinicki said. “What we’re going to try to do is to continue to play solid baseball and get better before [the Seawolves] come to town.”
BU is set to return to action next Saturday with a series against NYIT. First pitch is set for noon from the Bearcats Sports Complex in Vestal, New York. The series will continue with the second part of a doubleheader on Saturday followed by the final matchup on Sunday at noon.