The Great Danes got on the board in the first inning as Schoonmaker drove in Lamb, who singled and moved to third on a Wyland double, with a sac fly.

     The Huskies went ahead with a two-run fourth. Miguel Paquette singled in Brad Czarnowski and Heriot scored on a fielder’s choice.

**********

(Game 1)

Albany           100  000  005 -  6  7  0

Northeastern   011  000  000 -  2  9  3

     Steve Emmerthal (8-2), Shawn Ryan (9) and Jason Martin.

     Jordan Thomson (8-3), Adam Ottavino (9) and Matt Morizio.

(Game 2)

Albany (36-11, AE 14-6)          100  003  0 - 4  10  1

Northeastern (27-18, AE 13-6)  000  200  0 - 2   4  2

     Adam Kroft (7-3) and Jason Martin.

     Justin Hendrick (5-4), Jim Madison (7) and Dan Milano.

STEVE WYLAND NAMED AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE BASEBALL CO-ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

     Boston, Mass. – University at Albany’s Steve Wyland has been selected as the America East Conference Co-Rookie of the Week in baseball, as announced today by the conference office. Wyland, a freshman third baseman, went 5-for-11 at the plate, including a game-winning hit, in last weekend’s series with Maine. Wyland, who is batting .286 on the season, had three hits and drove in both runs in a 2-1 win over Maine on May 15. He lined a two-out, run-scoring single in the ninth to put his team ahead. Albany (34-11, AE 12-6) is in second place in the conference standings heading into the final weekend of the regular season.

MAINE TOPS UALBANY, 7-3, IN RUBBER GAME OF AMERICA EAST SERIES

     Orono, Maine – Center fielder Simon Williams went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored to help lead Maine past UAlbany, 7-3, in America East Conference baseball action on Sunday, May 16 at Mahaney Diamond. The start of the contest was delayed one and a half-hours due to rain.

     Albany (34-11, AE 12-6), who took the opener of Saturday’s doubleheader from the Black Bears before dropping the nightcap, grabbed its first lead of the game in the top of the sixth inning. First baseman Dan Schoonmaker singled to right field and would advance to second and then third base on passed balls before Derek DeGrazio brought him in with a sacrifice fly to put the Great Danes ahead, 2-1.

     Maine (28-19, AE 11-7) responded in its half of the sixth as right fielder Joe Hough singled, stole second and advanced to third on an error and Ryan Quintal plated him on a sac fly to even the game at two apiece.

     Williams and Jason Harvey led off the seventh inning for Maine with basehits to right field. A Pete Saunders sac fly would drive in Williams, while Harvey crossed the plate on a single by Joel Barrett to give the Black Bears a two-run advantage.

     The Great Danes, who lost consecutive games for the first time this season, sliced the deficit in half in the eighth as right fielder Justin Meagher delivered a RBI double to score DeGrazio.

     Maine secured the victory with three tallies in the bottom of the eighth. The big blow came on a two-run double off the bat of Williams that brought in Joe Hough and Mike Ferriggi, who had reached on a walk and error, respectively.

     Reliever Ryan Harris picked up the win for the Black Bears after pitching 2.1 innings out of the bullpen. Harris surrendered one run on two hits to earn his fifth victory of the season. Albany’s Adam Kroft worked 6.1 innings, by allowing three earned runs on six hits with five strikeouts in the loss.

     The Great Danes will close out the home portion of their schedule on Wednesday, May 19 as they host Le Moyne in a non-league game. First pitch is slated for 4:00 p.m.

***********

Albany (34-11, AE 12-6)   000  011  010 - 3  7  2

Maine (28-19, AE 11-7)    100  001  23X - 7  9  2

     Adam Kroft (6-3), Roman Dubiel (7), Shawn Ryan (8) and Jason Martin.

     Steve Richard, Ryan Harris (6) (5-2), Greg Norton (8), Scott Robinson (9) and Aaron Izaryk.

UALBANY BASEBALL SPLITS AMERICA EAST DOUBLEHEADER AT MAINE

     Orono, Maine – Third baseman Steve Wyland drove in two runs and Steve Emmerthal struck out 11 as UAlbany defeated Maine, 2-1, in game one of an America East Conference doubleheader on Saturday, May 15 at Mahaney Diamond. The Great Danes, who trail Northeastern by one game atop the league standings, fell in the nightcap, 6-1.

     Albany (34-10, AE 12-5) knotted the opener at one apiece in the fourth inning. Second baseman Kirt Zimniewicz and designated hitter Derek DeGrazio led off the frame with basehits and Jason Martin followed with a sacrifice bunt. Wyland later delivered a run-scoring single that brought in Zimniewicz from third.

     DeGrazio, who went 3-for-4, opened the ninth with a single to left field and moved to second on another sac bunt by Martin. Following a strikeout, Wyland lined a two-out basehit to center field that scored pinch runner Tony Vallone to give the Great Danes a 2-1 advantage.

     UAlbany closer Shawn Ryan pitched the ninth to collect his 13th save in 14 opportunities on the year. The junior established a UAlbany record with his 24th appearance this season. Emmerthal gave up one run on eight hits with one walk in eight innings on the mound to earn the win. The senior right-hander improved to 7-2 and tied the school mark for wins in a season. Mike MacDonald picked up the loss by allowing two runs on 11 hits in 8.2 innings of work for the Black Bears.

     Maine (27-19, AE 10-7) grabbed the lead in the second as Joe Hough led off with a double and Ryan Quintal followed with a triple. Quintal would be left stranded at third as Emmerthal retired the next three batters in order.

     In game two, the Black Bears surged ahead with a three-run fourth inning. Shortstop Jason Harvey knocked a two-out RBI single to left field that plated Hough, while Aaron Izaryk would later deliver a two-run basehit scoring Harvey and Simon Williams.

     Maine struck again with another two-out rally in the sixth, which included a two-run single off the bat of Joel Barrett that gave the Black Bears a six-run cushion.

     The Great Danes notched their lone run of the game in the seventh as shortstop Joe Lamb hit a sacrifice fly to right field that plated Justin Meagher, who had doubled.

     Maine right-hander Troy Martin went the distance, giving up one run on six hits to improve to 4-1 on the year. UAlbany junior Ethan Vaiana suffered his first loss of the season as he allowed three runs on seven hits in 3.2 innings on the hill.

     Both teams will battle again tomorrow in the series finale. The rubber game is slated for 12 noon.

**********

(Game 1)

Albany    000  100  001 - 2 11 1

Maine     010  000  000 - 1  9  0

     Steve Emmerthal (7-2), Shawn Ryan (9) and Jason Martin.

     Mike MacDonald (4-3), Greg Norton (9) and Aaron Izaryk.

(Game 2)

Albany (34-10, AE 12-5)   000  000  1 -  1  6  0

Maine (27-19, AE 10-7)    000  303  X -  6 10  0

     Ethan Vaiana (6-1), Scott McGovern (4), Giorgio Fuda (6) and Jason Martin.

     Troy Martin (4-1) and Aaron Izaryk.

UALBANY’S ROMAN DUBIEL NAMED TO CoSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT I TEAM

     Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany’s Roman Dubiel was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District I Team on Thursday, May 13. The right-hander was one of two pitchers selected to the squad.

     Dubiel, a junior reliever, has a 3.84 cumulative grade point average with a major in urban studies and a minor in Spanish. He has appeared in 14 games out of the bullpen with a 4-0 record and a 3.44 ERA for the Great Danes, who are 33-9 overall and in first place in the America East Conference standings. The Longueuil, Quebec native has worked 18.1 innings this season, primarily as a set-up man, and has collected one save.

UALBANY BASEBALL BEATS NEW YORK TECH IN NON-LEAGUE ACTION AT JOE BRUNO STADIUM

     Troy, N.Y. – Derek DeGrazio had three hits and starting pitcher Kyle Thomas posted his fourth victory of the season in leading Albany to an 8-5 non-league victory over New York Tech on Tuesday, May 11 at Joe Bruno Stadium.

     Albany (33-9) snapped a 1-1 deadlock with a four-run fifth inning. DeGrazio doubled to left field and later scored on a fielding error to put his team ahead. Another miscue in the field and a balk led to two more runs, before Dan Schoonmaker capped the uprising with an RBI single to center field.

     New York Tech (15-29) closed the gap to 5-3 with single runs in the seventh and eighth. Jelani Arnold led off with a triple to right field and later came across with his team’s second run on Christian Diez’s groundball to the shortstop. Mike MacMillan’s fielder’s choice plated pinch-runner Anthony Mangione.

     The Great Danes, who have won six of their last eight, put the game away by scoring three times in the eighth. DeGrazio, a junior designated hitter, delivered a run-scoring single to left field. Freshman infielder Steve Wyland added a RBI groundout, before Jason Martin singled and came home another error.

     Thomas, a sophomore right-hander, allowed one unearned run on three hits in 5.1 innings on the mound. He struck out four and walked two, as he picked up his first win since March 28 in improving to 4-1 on the season.

     Sophomore catcher Mike Kenefick had two hits, while Kraig Binick drove in a pair of runs for the Bears, who have dropped five of their last seven.

****************

New York Tech (15-29)  000  010  112  -  5  7  4

Albany (33-9)                100  040  03x  -  8  7  2

   Andrew Karkoulas, Robert Benenati (8) and Mike Kenefick.

   Kyle Thomas, Scott McGovern (6), Giorgio Fuda (7), Roman Dubiel (8), Shawn Ryan (9) and Jason Martin.

     Central Connecticut State (29-11-1), who entered the game riding a six-game win streak, notched its lone run in the eighth on a single by catcher Tim D’Aquila that plated Sean Salvatore. Left-hander Nate Cole allowed four runs on five hits in four innings of work to pick up the loss. Blue Devil shortstop Keith Stegbauer singled in the third inning to collect his school-record 80th basehit of the year.

     The Great Danes, who own a one-game lead over Binghamton in the America East Conference standings, return to action when they travel to take on the Bearcats in a three-game weekend set, beginning on Saturday, May 1. First pitch in game one of a doubleheader is scheduled for 12 noon.

***********

Central Connecticut State (29-11-1)  000  000  010 -  1  6  1

Albany (27-6)                                  000  412  01X -  8  9  1

     Ethan Vaiana, Roman Dubiel (8), Giorgio Fuda (9), Shawn Ryan (9) and Jason Martin.

     Nate Cole, Chris Skrypack (5), Hasani Franke (7) and Tim D’Aquila.

BASEBALL DEFEATS VERMONT, 8-2, TO WIN AMERICA EAST WEEKEND SERIES

     Albany, N.Y. - First baseman Dan Schoonmaker homered and tripled in UAlbany’s 8-2 victory over America East Conference-foe Vermont on Sunday, April 25 at Varsity Field. Senior right-hander Adam Kroft went the distance on the mound for the Great Danes, who took two out of three from the Catamounts over the weekend.

     Albany (26-6, AE 7-2) broke open a 2-2 game with a four-run fifth inning. Second baseman Kirt Zimniewicz scorched a RBI double down the left field line to plate Tony Vallone. Brendan Chiavaro followed with a two-run single through the left side of the infield and would later score on a fielder’s choice to give UAlbany a 6-2 advantage.

     The Great Danes, who entered the game in a first-place tie with Binghamton atop the conference standings, grabbed the lead in the first inning on Schoonmaker’s team-leading ninth home run of the season, a solo shot to right center. The senior would later drill a RBI triple, his fourth on the year, down the right field line in the eighth to cap his team's day on offense.

     Vermont (10-19, AE 4-5) erased a 2-0 deficit in the fourth inning on a two-run homer off the bat of Kyle Brault. The UVM right fielder has belted eight round-trippers this spring.

     Kroft gave up two runs on five hits and struck out five batters in his first complete game of the year to improve his season record to 5-1 on the mound. Vermont’s Justin Bissonnette allowed six runs on eight hits and fanned seven in five innings of work to pick up the loss.

*************

Vermont (10-19, AE 4-5)     000  200  000 -  2   5   2

Albany (26-6, AE 7-2)         110  040  11X -  8  12   2

      Adam Kroft and Jason Martin.

      Justin Bissonnette, Mike Smith (6), Jon Plefka (8) and Matt Naimoli.

BASEBALL SPLITS AMERICA EAST DOUBLEHEADER AGAINST VERMONT

     Albany, N.Y. – Right fielder Brendan Chiavaro hit a two-run home run in the first inning to set the tone as UAlbany defeated Vermont, 20-8, in game two of an America East Conference doubleheader on Saturday, April 24 at Varsity Field. The Catamounts took the opener, 7-2.

     UAlbany (25-6, AE 6-2) trailed 2-0 in the first inning of the nightcap before a four-run frame put the Great Danes up for good. First baseman Dan Schoonmaker started the surge with a single and later scored on an error along with Tony Vallone, who reached on a single, to tie the game at two. Chiavaro blasted his fifth homer of the year over the left field fence to give UAlbany a 4-2 lead.

     The Great Danes put up six runs in each of the next two innings, including a Derek DeGrazio three-run blast in the second, to claim a 16-3 advantage. Schoonmaker, who went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored in game two, lined a RBI double to right field as part of a four-run sixth inning.

     Senior right-hander Steve Emmerthal went six innings for UAlbany, giving up five earned runs on 11 hits to earn his fourth win of the season.

     In the opener, Vermont (10-18, AE 4-4) right fielder Kyle Brault went 2-for-4 with three RBI, including his team-leading seventh home run of the season, to lead his squad to a 7-2 victory. The Catamounts’ Chris Blazek collected the win by going eight innings on the hill and allowing two runs on two hits.

     Chiavaro, who had five RBI on day, drove in both UAlbany runs in the opener and sophomore right-hander Nick Murphy picked up his first loss of the season.

     Both teams will square off again tomorrow at 12 noon.

************

(Game 1)

Vermont      000  211  300 -  7 12  0

Albany        100  000  100 -  2   7  1

     Chris Blazek, Bryan Rembisz (9) and Matt Naimoli.

     Nick Murphy, Scott McGovern (7) and Fred Estes.

(Game 2)

Vermont (10-18, AE 4-4)      201  021  2 -  8  14  4

Albany (25-6, AE 6-2)          466  004  X -  20 15 3

     Brandon Miles, Mike Smith (3), Jared Slater (5), Chris Marsh (6) and Nick Roberts.

     Steve Emmerthal, Giorgio Fuda (7) and Jason Martin.

UALBANY BASEBALL SWEEPS PACE IN A NON-LEAGUE DOUBLEHEADER

     Albany, N.Y. - Shortstop Joe Lamb went 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored in UAlbany’s 4-1 victory over Pace in game one of a doubleheader on Wednesday, April 21 at Varsity Field. The Great Danes took the nightcap, 5-4, as Jason Martin scored the winning run on a passed ball in the bottom of the seventh inning.

     Albany (24-5) snapped a 1-1 tie in the opener with three runs in the sixth inning. Second baseman Kirt Zimniewicz led off with a single up the middle and would later score on a wild pitch. Martin rocketed a double off the right-center field wall to plate Brendan Chiavaro. Lamb, who had two doubles in the contest, would later hit a sacrifice fly to right field giving the Great Danes a three-run cushion.

     UAlbany’s Ethan Vaiana gave up one run and scattered four hits, while striking out six to improve his mark to 4-0 on the season. Shawn Ryan pitched the seventh by allowing no hits to collect his eighth save of the year.

     In game two, the Great Danes jumped out to an early four-run lead as Zimniewicz hit a run-scoring single up the middle and Derek DeGrazio belted a three-run homer, his fourth of the season, off of the left field foul pole.

     Pace (7-21) sliced the deficit in half in the third with RBI singles by Paul Bonaros and Doug Hehner. The Setters tied the game in the seventh behind two unearned runs. Bonaros, who walked to get on base, eventually came across on a fielding error as his team drew even at four apiece.

     Martin drew a pinch-hit walk with one out in the bottom of the seventh and would later reach third base on an error. Lamb was intentionally walked to load the bases and with Tony Vallone at bat a passed ball allowed Martin to hit the plate as the winning run.

     Reliever Roman Dubiel pitched one-third of an inning to collect the win for the Great Danes and go to 4-0 on the year, while Pace’s Matt Reilly went the distance and gave up four earned runs on two hits in the loss.  Albany left-hander Mark Suchowiecki got the start on the mound and allowed two runs on seven hits in six innings of work.

***************

(Game 1)

Pace      000  010  0 -  1  4  0

Albany    001  003  X -  4  6  1

     David Qualben, Robert Van Riper (6) and Mike Ferrauto.

     Ethan Vaiana, Shawn Ryan (7) and Jason Martin.

(Game 2)

Pace (7-21)       002  000  2 -  4  8  3

Albany (24-5)     400  000  1 -  5  2  3

(winning run scored with one out in the bottom of the seventh)

     Matt Reilly and Matt Pisseri, Mike Ferrauto.

     Mark Suchowiecki, Shawn Ryan (7), Roman Dubiel (7) and Fred Estes.

UALBANY BASEBALL FALLS AT HOLY CROSS, 7-5, IN NON-LEAGUE PLAY

     Worcester, Mass. – Sophomore Tucker Frawley belted a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to lead Holy Cross past UAlbany, 7-5, in non-conference baseball action on Tuesday, April 20 at Fitton Field.

     Holy Cross (8-19-1) mounted a four-run rally in the seventh to tie the game at four. First baseman Drew Bigda led off with a triple and was driven in by Chris Doneski. Catcher Mike Marron and third baseman Mike Schell hit back-to-back RBI singles later in the frame to cap off the Crusaders scoring surge.

     Doneski and Matt Perron were issued walks in the eighth and Frawley, a second baseman, stepped to the plate with two outs and hit his first homer of the year over the right field fence to put Holy Cross up 7-4.

     Albany (22-5), who suffered only its second loss in the past 18 games, grabbed a one-run advantage in the second as Derek DeGrazio doubled home Kirt Zimniewicz. First baseman Dan Schoonmaker extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a triple in the fourth. Zimniewicz followed with a RBI double to left center and was later driven in on a DeGrazio single to make it a 3-0 contest. Shortstop Joe Lamb gave the Great Danes a four-run lead with a RBI single in the seventh.

     The Crusaders’ Scott Hampe earned his second win of the season, going one and two-thirds innings giving up two hits and one run. Shawn Ryan picked up the loss by allowing three runs on two hits in 1.1 innings of work. Kyle Thomas got the start for UAlbany and gave up no runs on four hits in six innings on the mound.

     The Great Danes return to action tomorrow afternoon as they host Pace in a non-conference doubleheader at Varsity Field. First pitch is slated for 1:30 p.m.

***********

Albany (22-5)           010  200  101 -  5  11  2

Holy Cross (8-19-1)   000  000  43x -  7  11  0

     Kyle Thomas, Nick Ragone (7), Roman Dubiel (7), Shawn Ryan (7) and Fred Estes, Jason Martin.

     Matt Blake, Scott Hampe (8) and Mike Marron.

BASEBALL DOWNS STONY BROOK, 7-2, TO SWEEP AMERICA EAST WEEKEND SERIES

     Albany, N.Y. – Designated hitter Derek DeGrazio went 2-for-4, including the go-ahead two-run homer in the fourth inning, as UAlbany posted a 7-2 victory over Stony Brook in America East Conference baseball action on Sunday, April 18 at Varsity Field. The Great Danes, who have won 16 of their last 17 contests, swept all three games from the visitors during the weekend series.

     Stony Brook (12-18, AE 1-5), who swept Albany in the teams’ four-game league series last year, grabbed the lead in the third on Stephen Didbury’s RBI single that plated Nick Theoharis. Shortstop Matt Devins followed with a sacrifice fly, which drove in Andrew Larsen, to give the Seawolves a two-run advantage.

     Albany (22-4, AE 5-1), who set a school single-season win total surpassing the 1999 squad, put up three runs in the fourth to take the lead for good. Second baseman Kirt Zimniewicz doubled to leadoff the frame and Brendan Chiavaro drove him in with a single to left center. DeGrazio, a junior, then stepped to the plate and blasted his third home run of the year over the left-field fence to give the Great Danes a 3-2 lead. Zimniewicz belted a two-run homer, his seventh of the season, in the eighth, as his team scored three times in the frame.

     Senior right-hander Adam Kroft went eight innings on the hill by allowing two runs on five hits, while striking out a season-high 10 batters to improve to 4-1 on the year. Reliever Shawn Ryan pitched a scoreless ninth. Stony Brook’s Ryan Claypool went three innings and gave up three runs on three hits in the loss.

     The Great Danes return to action when they travel to non-league opponent Holy Cross on Tuesday, April 20. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

**************

Stony Brook (12-18, AE 1-5)  002  000  000 -  2  5  3

Albany (22-4, AE 5-1)            000  300  13X -  7  8  0

     Adam Kroft, Shawn Ryan (9) and Jason Martin.

     Ryan Claypool, Matt Restivo (4), Brian Murtagh (7), Kurt Jung (8) and Cole Cicatelli.

BASEBALL SWEEPS AMERICA EAST DOUBLEHEADER FROM STONY BROOK

     Albany, N.Y. - Center fielder Tony Vallone drove in three runs in the opener and first baseman Dan Schoonmaker had three RBI in the nightcap as UAlbany swept Stony Brook, 10-4 and 5-1, in America East Conference baseball action on Saturday, April 17 at Varsity Field. The doubleheader served as the home opener for the Great Danes, who have won 15 of their last 16 contests.

     Albany (21-4, AE 4-1) trailed 4-3 in game one heading into the fifth before scoring three times to take the lead for good. Brad Daniels, Joe Lamb and Vallone delivered three straight doubles, producing two runs, to leadoff the frame. Brendan Chiavaro finished off the scoring with a sacrifice fly to bring in Vallone.

     The Great Danes crossed the plate four more times in the seventh, including Pat Delaney’s two-run homer, to secure the victory for Nick Murphy, who improved to 5-0 on the season. The sophomore right-hander gave up four runs on five hits in six innings of work, while Kyle Thomas pitched the last three frames by allowing no hits to pick up his first save of the year.

     Stony Brook (12-17, AE 1-4) grabbed an early 1-0 lead on Matt Devins’ RBI double in the first. Andrew Larsen hit a run-scoring single and Isidro Fortuna lined a two-run home run to give the Seawolves a 4-0 lead in the third.

     In game two, UAlbany’s Steve Emmerthal went the distance on the mound giving up one run on four hits, while striking out a season-high nine batters to go to 3-2 on the season.

     Schoonmaker, who extended his hitting streak to 10 straight games, had a RBI double in the first and followed it up with a two-run blast, his team-leading eighth of the season, in the third to give the Great Danes a 4-1 advantage.

     Stony Brook’s Kevin Fitzgerald gave up five runs on 12 hits and struck out seven in six innings to pick up the loss for the Seawolves, whose lone run came on solo homer off the bat of Larsen in the third inning.

     Both teams will close out their three-game weekend series on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

************

(Game 1)

Stony Brook     103  000  000 -   4   5  4

Albany              003  030  40X - 10 14  1

     Jon Lewis, Kris Bakey (7), Kurt Jung (7) and Cole Cicatelli.

     Nick Murphy, Kyle Thomas (7) and Fred Estes.

(Game 2)

Stony Brook (12-17, AE 1-4)     001  000  0 -  1  4   0

Albany (21-4, AE 4-1)               202  010  X -  5 12  0

     Kevin Fitzgerald and Cole Cicatelli

     Steve Emmerthal and Jason Martin.

UALBANY BASEBALL DEFEATS ST. JOHN’S, 5-1, IN NON-LEAGUE PLAY

     Jamaica, N.Y. – Second baseman Kirt Zimniewicz belted a pair of home runs and first baseman Dan Schoonmaker went 3-for-4 as UAlbany defeated St. John’s, 5-1, in non-conference action on Thursday, April 15 at the Ballpark at St. John’s.

     Albany (19-4) grabbed the lead in the first as Schoonmaker, who has hit safely in eight straight games, singled to right scoring Joe Lamb. The Great Danes, who have won 13 of their last 14 contests, posted three more tallies in the third as Zimniewicz blasted a two-run homer over the right field fence and third baseman Steve Wyland singled in Derek DeGrazio to make it 4-0.

     St. John’s (18-12), who is coming off a split at No. 9 Notre Dame on Monday, April 12, notched its lone run of the game in the seventh on a solo-shot off the bat of pinch-hitter Anthony DeRosa.

     Albany right-hander Ethan Vaiana got his third start of the year on the mound and held the Red Storm, who had won 16-of-18 entering the game, hitless over the first 5.2 innings. He gave up no runs and issued four walks, while striking out five in six innings of work to improve to 3-0 on the year. Shawn Ryan worked a scoreless ninth, and was one of three relievers to hold the home bats in check. Anthony Sullivan gave up four runs on six hits in three innings to pick up the loss.

     The Great Danes will play at Varsity Field for the first time as they open their home slate by hosting America East Conference-rival Stony Brook in a doubleheader on Saturday, April 17. First pitch is scheduled for 12 noon.

************

Albany (19-4)         103  000  001 -  5  11  0

St. John’s (18-12)   000  000  100 -  1   2   1

     Ethan Vaiana, Scott McGovern (7), Roman Dubiel (8), Shawn Ryan (9) and Jason Martin, Fred Estes.

     Anthony Sullivan, Justin Muir (4), Geno Orsogna (6), Jim Wladyka (7), Robert Delaney (8), Craig Hansen (9) and Joe Burke.

UALBANY BASEBALL DOWNS UMBC, 14-5, TO TAKE WEEKEND SERIES

     Baltimore, Md. – Shortstop Joe Lamb went 4-for-6 and drove in three runs to lead UAlbany past UMBC, 14-5, in America East Conference play on Saturday, April 10 at Baseball Factory Field. The Great Danes won two of three during the weekend series.

     Albany (18-4, AE 2-1) carried a 5-4 lead heading into the sixth before putting four runs on the board. Lamb singled in Pat Delaney and two batters later first baseman Dan Schoonmaker had a RBI groundout. Later in the inning, Kirt Zimniewicz singled in Tony Vallone and Lamb to give UAlbany a five-run cushion.

     The Great Danes struck for three more in the seventh as Brendan Chiavaro homered and Brad Daniels tripled in Delaney. Lamb followed with a RBI single.

     UMBC (6-20, AE 1-2) had taken early 2-0 lead in the first inning on RBI singles by Zach Clark and Mike Orlando. Albany sliced the deficit in half in the fourth when Schoonmaker hit his fifth home run in five games, a solo blast for his seventh of the season.

     The Great Danes broke through with four runs in the fifth. Lamb singled in Delaney and Vallone followed with a two-run home run. Chiavaro singled in Schoonmaker to make it a 5-2 contest. UMBC put two on the board in the fifth as Dan Carpenter and Clark each had RBI groundouts.

     UAlbany’s Adam Kroft gave up four earned runs on eight hits in seven innings of work to earn the win and improve to 3-1 on the year. Jon Pavlis picked up the loss by allowing five runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings on the mound for the Retrievers.

     The Great Danes return to action on Tuesday, April 13 as they take on Niagara in a doubleheader in Syracuse, New York. First pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m.

***********

Albany (18-4, AE 2-1)    000  144   302 - 14 17 0

UMBC (6-20, AE 1-2)    200   020  100 -   5  9  1

     Adam Kroft, Roman Dubiel (8), Shawn Ryan (9) and Jason Martin.

     Jon Pavlis, Steve Evans (5), Blake Phipps (6), Mike Johnson (7), Kyle Wildasin (8) and Jon Gossard.

SCHOONMAKER NAMED AMERICA EAST BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

     Boston, Mass.- University at Albany’s Dan Schoonmaker was named the America East Conference Player of the Week in baseball as announced on Monday, April 12 by the league office.

     Schoonmaker, a senior who is positioned at both first and third base, went 11-for-20 last week with five home runs and 15 RBI. He drove in 10 runs, including a grandslam and a three-run homer, in UAlbany’s non-league doubleheader sweep of Canisius on April 7. The Great Danes won the twinbill, 18-4 and 7-5.

     A High Falls, N.Y. native, Schoonmaker homered and scored two runs in UAlbany’s 12-5 win over UMBC in game one of a doubleheader on April 9. In the nightcap, he went 3-for-4, including a solo home run in the first inning. He had two RBI and scored two runs in his team’s 14-5 victory over the Retrievers on April 10.

     Schoonmaker, who leads the team in home runs (7) and RBI (36), belted his fifth home run in as many games with a solo blast in the seventh. He ranks fourth among the America East leaders in hitting with a .398 average.

     The Great Danes, who are 18-4 overall and 2-1 in America East play, return to action on Tuesday, April 13 as they take on Niagara in a non-league doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

UALBANY BASEBALL SPLITS DOUBLEHEADER AT UMBC TO OPEN AMERICA EAST PLAY

     Baltimore, Md. – Sophomore Nick Murphy tossed a complete game allowing four earned runs on 10 hits, while striking out six to help give UAlbany a 12-5 win over University of Maryland, Baltimore County in game one of a doubleheader on Friday, April 9 at Baseball Factory Field. It was the America East Conference opener for both teams. UMBC took the nightcap, 9-3, to snap the Great Danes’ 11-game winning streak.

     Albany (17-4, AE 1-1) grabbed the lead in game one behind back-to-back homers from second baseman Kirt Zimniewicz and right fielder Brendan Chiavaro in the second inning. Tony Vallone and Dan Schoonmaker hit consecutive blasts in the third to give the Great Danes a 4-0 advantage.

     UMBC (6-19, AE 1-1) got on the board in the fourth as Zach Clark hit a solo home run to center field. Later in the inning, Jon Gossard grounded into a double play to bring home Kyle Wildasin, making it a 5-2 game.

     The Great Danes responded in the fifth behind a two-run home run off the bat of designated hitter Derek DeGrazio, who went 3-for-5 with three RBI. Shortstop Joe Lamb hit a two-run shot of his own in the ninth to put UAlbany up 12-4. Murphy, who pitched his first- career complete game, earned the win to improve his mark to 4-0 on the season, while the Retrievers’ Eric Butkiewicz gave up six earned runs on nine hits in seven innings of work to pick up the loss.

     In game two, Schoonmaker, who has homered in four straight games, went deep in the first inning to put Albany ahead 1-0. Wildasin hit a two-run shot in the bottom of the first to give the Retrievers a 2-1 advantage. Lamb singled in DeGrazio to knot the score at two in the second. UMBC grabbed the lead for good in the third inning behind two unearned runs.

     Kevin Brooks and Dan Carpenter each hit two-run doubles in the fourth to put the Retrievers up 8-2. Zach Clark pitched a complete game, allowing two earned runs on nine hits for the win, while Kyle Thomas went 3.2 innings giving up six earned runs on four hits in the loss.

     Both teams will close out their three-game series tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 p.m.

****************

(Game 1)

Albany       023  021 112 - 12 13 1

UMBC       000  200  021 -  5 10 4

     Nick Murphy and Fred Estes.

     Eric Butkiewicz, Bo Sauter (8) and Jon Gossard, Bryan Owens.

(Game 2)

Albany (17-4, AE 1-1)  110    010  0 -  3  9  2

UMBC (6-19, AE 1-1)  202    401  X -  9  6  3

     Kyle Thomas, Steve Emmerthal (4), Scott McGovern (6) and Jason Martin.

     Zach Clark and Jon Gossard.

UALBANY BASEBALL SWEEPS TWO FROM CANISIUS IN NON-LEAGUE PLAY

     Buffalo, N.Y. – Dan Schoonmaker drove in seven runs, including a grand slam to propel UAlbany past Canisius, 18-4, in game one of a doubleheader on Wednesday, April 7 at Demske Sports Complex. He went 3-for-4 with three RBI in a 7-5 win in the nightcap.

     Albany (16-3), who owns its longest winning streak since 1994 with 10 straight victories, led 2-1 after the first inning in game one and erupted for six runs in the second. Tony Vallone, who went 4-for-6 in the contest, started the surge with a RBI single to left field that brought in Brad Daniels. Two batters later, catcher Jason Martin doubled in Vallone and Schoonmaker.

     In the sixth, shortstop Joe Lamb drove in Brendan Chiavaro and Steve Wyland with a single to center field. Schoonmaker, a senior first baseman, cleared the bases with a grand slam to right-center later in the frame to give the Great Danes a 16-4 advantage.

     Ethan Vaiana gave up three earned runs on six hits, while striking out six in six innings of work to earn his second victory of the season.

     In the second contest, Albany used a five-run second inning to stake an early 6-0 lead. Schoonmaker, who has team-highs in home runs (4) and RBI (31), hit a three-run homer to right field to cap off the Great Danes scoring surge.

     Canisius (2-18) rallied in the fifth behind a three-run home run off the bat of Kevin Smith to slice Albany’s lead to 7-5.

     Shawn Ryan came in to pitch the seventh for UAlbany and with two runners on he forced Adam Montgomery into a double play to end the game to remain perfect in save opportunities this season (7-for-7). Roman Dubiel threw two innings of relief, giving up one hit and allowing no runs to pick up his third win of the year.

     The Great Danes open America East Conference play on Friday, April 9 when they travel to UMBC for a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 12 noon.

***************

(Game 1)

Albany        260  017  2 - 18 19 1

Canisius      130  000  0 -  4   7   5

   Ethan Vaiana, Giorgio Fuda (7) and Jason Martin.

    J.T. Wright, Mike Bax (6), Seamus Barron (6) and Adam Montgomery.

(Game 2)

Albany (16-3)      150  010   0 -   7  9  0

Canisius (2-18)    010  130   0 -   5  7  3

  Steve Emmerthal, Scott McGovern (3), Nick Ragone (5), Roman Dubiel (5), Shawn Ryan (7) and Fred Estes.

    Jordan Neufeld and Lee Harber.

UALBANY BASEBALL DEFEATS ST. FRANCIS (N.Y.), 11-4, ON THE ROAD

     Staten Island, N.Y. – Tony Vallone and Kirt Zimniewicz each drove in three runs as UAlbany defeated St. Francis (N.Y.), 11-4, in a non-league game at the College of Staten Island on Tuesday, March 30.

     Albany (14-3), whose eight-game winning streak is its longest since 1994, carried a 5-4 lead into the top of the ninth before exploding for six runs in the frame. Zimniewicz, a senior second baseman, doubled home shortstop Joe Lamb and Vallone, after they reached on singles. Right fielder Brendan Chiavaro, the reigning America East player of the week, singled home Dan Schoonmaker, who was intentionally walked, and Zimniewicz to give the Great Danes a 9-4 advantage. Pat Delaney and Lamb, who went 4-for-6 and scored three runs, capped off the uprising with a pair of RBI singles.

     St. Francis (2-9) scored all four of its runs in the seventh after falling behind 5-0.

Johnny Lluberes lined a bases-loaded single to score Tom Curry. Greg Clements followed with a RBI single that plated Joe DeSiena. The final two runs of the frame were unearned.

     Vallone, a junior center fielder, snapped a scoreless tie in the fifth when he tripled home Lamb and later scored on a fielding error. Vallone, who also had three runs in the game, knocked in Delaney and Lamb with a single in the seventh to give the Great Danes a 5-0 lead.

     UAlbany’s Ethan Vaiana got the start on the mound and went four innings, giving up two hits and no runs to earn his first victory of the year. The Terriers’ Rob Eberhart pitched three innings of relief, allowing four runs on four hits to pick up the loss.

     The Great Danes return to action when they travel to Coppin State for a doubleheader on Saturday, April 3. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

**************

Albany (14-3)           000  020  306 -  11 15  2

Saint Francis (2-9)    000  000  400 -   4   5   3

     Ethan Vaiana, Mark Suchowiecki (5), Scott McGovern (7), Roman Dubiel (7), Shawn Ryan (9) and Jason Martin, Fred Estes.

     Tom Curry, Rob Eberhart (5), Lou Monti (8), Brian Honeyman (9) and Mike Molinini, Tom Greene.

UALBANY SWEEPS TWO FROM YALE TO TAKE ALL FOUR WEEKEND GAMES

     West Haven, Conn. – First baseman Derek DeGrazio drove in the winning run in the top of the ninth inning with a RBI double to give UAlbany a 3-2 victory over Yale in game one of a doubleheader on Sunday, March 28 at Yale Field. The Great Danes, who defeated the Bulldogs twice the previous day, won the nightcap, 8-0, to secure a four-game weekend sweep.

     Yale (5-10) got on the board early in game one when Jake Doyle lined a two-run single to center field that plated Josh Zabar and Randy Leonard.

     Albany (13-3), who has won seven straight games for the first time since 1994, responded in its half of the second with a single by DeGrazio that brought in Kirt Zimniewicz. Right fielder Brendan Chiavaro was thrown out at the plate on the play. The Great Danes knotted the score at two in the seventh on Fred Estes’ groundout to the second baseman that plated Chiavaro, who had singled.

     In the ninth, Zimniewicz hit a one-out double to left-center, before DeGrazio knocked him in with a double down the left-field line. Shawn Ryan pitched the ninth to pick up his sixth save of the season and secured the win for Roman Dubiel, who pitched one inning of relief. Nick Murphy, last week’s America East Conference Pitcher of the Week, got the start and went seven innings, allowing no earned runs on eight hits and struck out six.

     In the second contest, Albany’s Kyle Thomas, Mark Suchowiecki and Nick Ragone combining on a three-hit shutout, with Thomas going five innings to improve his mark to 3-0 on the season. Sophomore third baseman Pat Delaney and Chiavaro, a senior outfielder, drove in two runs apiece to propel the Great Danes’ offense. Dan Schoonmaker belted his second home run of the season, a solo blast, in the first.

****************

(Game 1)

Albany        010  000  101 - 3  8  1

Yale           200  000  000 - 2  8  1

     Nick Murphy, Roman Dubiel (8), Shawn Ryan (9) and Fred Estes.

     Josh Sowers, Jon Hollis and Eric Rasmussen.

(Game 2)

Albany (13-3)      112   021  1 -  8 13  0

Yale (5-10)         000   000  0 -  0  3   2

     Kyle Thomas, Mark Suchowiecki (6), Nick Ragone (7) and Jason Martin.

     Mike Mongiardini, Brett Rosenthal (5) and Eric Rasmussen, Cody Slape, John Janco.

VALLONE AND CHIAVARO LEAD UALBANY BASEBALL IN SWEEP OVER YALE

     West Haven, Conn. – Tony Vallone and Brendan Chiavaro each drove in four runs to lead UAlbany to a 10-5 win over Yale in the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday, March 27 at Yale Field. The Great Danes rallied with three runs in the seventh inning to win the first game, 3-1.

     Albany (11-3) jumped ahead early in game two with a four-run first inning. Brad Daniels led off the game with a walk and was followed by a Joe Lamb single. Vallone, a junior center fielder, then hit a three-run home run to left field to put the Great Danes on top. Chiavaro capped off the scoring with a single that plated Derek DeGrazio.

     Yale (5-8) sliced into Albany’s 5-0 lead in the second when Eric Rasmussen hit a two-run single and C.J. Orrico knocked in Jake Doyle on a sacrifice fly.

     Chiavaro, a senior right fielder, blasted a three-run homer in the third to give the Great Danes, whose five-game winning streak is the longest since April 16-19 of last year, an 8-3 advantage. Steve Emmerthal pitched a complete-game giving up four earned runs on seven hits to earn his second victory of the season, while Chris Winkler gave up six runs on six hits in two innings of work to pick up the loss for the Bulldogs.

     In game one, Yale grabbed a 1-0 lead in the sixth on a Justin Ankney home run to right field. Albany responded in the seventh when Lamb reached on a fielder’s choice and Kirt Zimniewicz and Craig Farley scored as a result of a throwing error by the shortstop. Dan Schoonmaker followed with a RBI single to center that scored Lamb.

     Shawn Ryan pitched the seventh to convert his fifth save in five chances to secure the win for Adam Kroft, who gave up one run on four hits with six strike outs. Yale’s Alec Smith tossed 6.2 innings allowing no earned runs in the loss.

     Both teams square off again tomorrow in another doubleheader. First pitch in game one is slated for 12 noon.

*****************

(Game 1)

Albany           000   000   3 -  3   9   1

Yale               000   001   0 -  1   4   2

     Adam Kroft, Shawn Ryan (7) and Jason Martin.

     Alec Smith, Jon Hollis (7) and Eric Rasmussen.

(Game 2)

Albany (11-3)    413   200   0 -  10   11   2

Yale (5-8)         030   020   0 -   5     7   1

     Steve Emmerthal and Fred Estes.

     Chris Winkler, Doug Shimokawa (3), Colin Ward-Henninger (4), Matt Fealey (7) and Eric Rasmussen, Cody Slape.

UALBANY’S NICK MURPHY NAMED AMERICA EAST PITCHER OF THE WEEK

     Boston, Mass. -- University at Albany’s Nick Murphy was named the America East Conference Pitcher of the Week in baseball as announced by the league office on Tuesday, March 23.

     Murphy, a sophomore right-hander, is off to a 3-0 start in four appearances with a 1.61 ERA, plus has thrown a team-high 22.1 innings pitched. He has struck out a conference-best 25 batters, while walking just eight and allowing only four earned runs for the Great Danes, who are 9-3 overall and off to their best start since upgrading to Division I play in 2000.

     The sophomore pitched 7.1 innings giving up five hits and allowing one earned run while striking out eight to pick up his first victory in a 5-3 contest versus previously unbeaten Missouri on Feb. 22. Murphy tossed six innings of five-hit ball with eight strikeouts and one walk in a 21-1 defeat of UNC-Asheville on March 6. He improved to 3-0 with six innings of work allowing up three earned runs on 10 hits while striking out six and walking one in an 8-4 win over New York Tech on March 14.

     Murphy went 1-1 last season with a 5.67 ERA in 27 innings pitched in his rookie campaign. Albany returns to action on Thursday, March 25 when they travel to Long Island University. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.

UALBANY SWEEPS DOUBLEHEADER AGAINST NEW YORK TECH

     Old Westbury, N.Y. – Brendan Chiavaro hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning to put UAlbany ahead for good in its 8-4 victory over New York Tech in the first game of a doubleheader on Sunday, March 13 at President’s Field. Chiavaro, who went 6-for-8 on the day, drove in two runs as the Great Danes took the nightcap, 16-6.

     Albany (9-3) trailed 4-3 in game one heading into the sixth before Pat Delaney drew a walk and Chiavaro, a senior outfielder, knocked him in with his first home run of the season to put the Great Danes ahead. Fred Estes increased the advantage with a three-run home run in the seventh that brought in Delaney and Chiavaro.

     UAlbany’s Nick Murphy improved to 3-0 on the season throwing six innings and striking out six.

     In game two, Albany exploded for seven runs in the first inning en route to its third straight win. Jason Martin, a senior catcher, started the surge with a two-run double that plated Joe Lamb, who had two RBI and scored three runs in the contest, and Brad Daniels. Derek DeGrazio would later hit a bases-clearing triple, scoring Martin, Tony Vallone and Chiavaro. Freshman Jeff Reynolds went 3-for-4 and scored four runs in game two. 

     Kyle Thomas picked up his second win of the season tossing five innings, giving up three earned runs and striking out four against the Bears, who fall to 2-7 on the year. Dan Schoonmaker, a senior first baseman, went 3-for-5 with three RBI in the second half of the twin bill for UAlbany, who defeated New York Tech, 12-6, on Saturday.

     The Great Danes return to action on Tuesday, March 16 when they travel to Holy Cross. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

************

(Game 1)

Albany                 010  112  3 -  8  10  2

New York Tech     012  100  0 -  4  10  1

Albany: Nick Murphy, Shawn Ryan (7) and Fred Estes.

(Game 2)

Albany (9-3)               702  610  0 -  16 18  1

New York Tech (2-7)   000  220  2 -   6  10  6

Albany: Kyle Thomas, Mark Suchowiecki (6), Ryan Sullivan (7) and Jason Martin.

UALBANY RALLIES TO DEFEAT NEW YORK TECH 12-6

     Old Westbury, N.Y. – Dan Schoonmaker went 3-for-5 and drove in four runs in UAlbany’s 12-6 come-from-behind victory over New York Tech on Saturday, March 13 at President’s Field.

     Albany (7-3), who did not have an extra base hit on the day, trailed 6-3 heading into the eighth inning before scoring four runs and five more in the ninth to secure the victory. In the eighth, the Great Danes capitalized on three hit batters and took a 7-6 lead when Schoonmaker lined a single past the second baseman that plated Brad Daniels and Joe Lamb.

     Schoonmaker, a senior first baseman, knocked in two more runs in the ninth to increase UAlbany’s advantage. Lamb went 2-for-5 on the day with two RBI and scored two more for the Great Danes, while teammate Tony Vallone went 2-for-3 with an RBI.

     New York Tech (2-5) was led by Tim Smith and Anthony St. George, who combined to knock in five runs for the Bears.

     Albany’s Roman Dubiel, a junior, pitched 2.2 innings and struck out four in relief of Adam Kroft to earn his second career victory. Reliever Wayne Seder, who came in following Andrew Karkoulas’ seven innings of work, picked up the loss for the Bears.

     Both teams will square off again tomorrow in a double-header. First pitch in game one is slated for 12 noon.

******************

Albany (7-3)                  200  100  045  - 12 12  0

New York Tech (2-5)      000  220  200  -  6  11  2

Albany: Adam Kroft, Roman Dubiel (7) and Jason Martin

UALBANY DROPS SERIES FINALE, 11-9, AT UNC ASHEVILLE

     Asheville, N.C. – Nick Jaksa collected three RBI on two hits and scored three times as UNC Asheville defeated UAlbany, 11-9, in the finale of their three-game weekend-series on Sunday, March 7 at Greenwood Field.

     UNC Asheville (5-6), which won the series opener, 7-5, on Friday, carried a 4-3 lead heading into its half of the fourth inning before adding four more runs. Jaksa, who gave his team the lead in the first with a two-run single, reached on an error to leadoff the fourth and would come around to score on a single by Ben Padgett, who drove in two runs on the day. Later in the inning, Steve Burnich hit a single to right field that plated two more Bulldogs.

     Albany (6-3), which defeated UNC Asheville 21-1 on Saturday, responded with three runs of its own in the fifth. Catcher Jason Martin lined a one-out single to right field plating Tony Vallone. Derek DeGrazio later singled in Kirt Zimniewicz and Martin to slice the deficit to 8-6.

     The Great Danes trailed 11-7 with two outs in the ninth before Zimniewicz’s team-leading third home run scored Craig Farley, cutting the margin in half. Reliever David Williams would come in and seal the victory for the Bulldogs by picking up his first save of the season.

     UNC Asheville’s Granville Gehris earned the win, throwing five innings and giving up six runs on six hits. Steve Emmerthal tossed four innings for the Great Danes, allowing four earned runs on nine hits to collect the loss.

****************

Albany (6-3)                102   031   002 -   9  7  3

UNC Asheville (5-6)      400   402   01x - 11 12  2

Steve Emmerthal, Scott McGovern (5), Kyle Thomas (6), Shawn Ryan (8) and Jason Martin.

Granville Gehris, Ryan Stewart (6), Chris Nigro (8), David Williams (9) and Nick Jaksa

UALBANY CRUSHES UNC ASHEVILLE, 21-1, IN SECOND GAME OF SERIES

     Asheville, N.C. – Second baseman Kirt Zimniewicz went 2-for-4, driving in four runs and scoring two more, as UAlbany hit its way to a commanding 21-1 victory over UNC Asheville on Saturday, March 6 at Greenwood Field.

     Albany (6-2), which produced its largest scoring output since March 27 of last year, used a seven-run fourth inning to take control of the contest. Zimniewicz reached via an error to leadoff the top of the frame and then Derek DeGrazio singled to right field. Brendan Chiavaro knocked in one of his three RBI as his double to left-center plated Zimniewicz. Third baseman Pat Delaney followed by driving in both of his runs on the day with a single to left that scored Chiavaro and DeGrazio. Three batters later, shortstop Joe Lamb got his second of four hits when he singled up the middle driving in two more runs, and would later score on Tony Vallone’s double to left field. Dan Schoonmaker, who also had three RBI, gave the Great Danes a 9-0 lead with a sacrifice fly that plated Vallone, who reached third on a passed ball.

     UNC Asheville (4-6), who defeated Albany 7-5 on Friday, got its lone run of the game on a home run by first baseman Tony Wall in the eighth.

     Sophomore Nick Murphy pitched six innings, giving up five hits and no runs while striking out eight, to improve his record to 2-0 on the season for UAlbany. Aaron Rembert received the loss, allowing four earned runs on seven hits in 3.1 innings of work.

     Both teams will square off again tomorrow in the final game of their three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

*****************

Albany (6-2)                200  712  234 - 21 22  1

UNC Asheville (4-6)      000  000  010 - 1   6   5

Nick Murphy, Ethan Vaiana (7) and Fred Estes.

Aaron Rembert, Gary Kohler (4), Ryan Haushalter (6), Rodney Quinn (7) and J.K. Whited, Justin Wilkins.

UALBANY BASEBALL FALLS AT UNC ASHEVILLE, 7-5, IN NON-LEAGUE PLAY

     Asheville, N.C. – Charles Pippett went 2-for-4 driving in one run and scoring two more as UNC Asheville defeated UAlbany 7-5 in non-conference play at Greenwood Field on Friday, March 5.

     UNC Asheville (4-5) opened the scoring in the second when Nick Jaksa, who hit a leadoff double, scored on a wild pitch. Three batters later, Steve Burnich hit a sacrifice fly to plate Pippett, who reached on a single and advanced to third on a bunt single and a groundout.

     Albany (5-2) trailed 6-0 heading into the top of the eighth, but a two-out rally produced five runs and cut the deficit to one. Pat Delaney led off with a single to second base and would later score on Jason Martin's two-out base hit. Tony Vallone followed with another RBI single scoring Dan Schoonmaker. Following a pitching change, Kirt Zimniewicz doubled to left field to plate Martin. Derek DeGrazio capped off the scoring with a single to right that scored Zimniewicz and Vallone.

     Pippett led off the Bulldog eighth with a home run to right field, giving his team a

7-5 advantage. The Great Danes threatened again in the ninth behind one-out singles by Joe Lamb and Schoonmaker, which put the go-ahead run at the plate. However, the rally would end as Martin grounded into a game-ending double play.

     Steven Cook improved to 3-0 on the season, as he pitched 7.2 innings giving up four runs on seven hits, while Chris Nigro picked up his first save of the season for the Bulldogs. UAlbany's Adam Kroft drops to 1-1 on the year, going 6.1 innings allowing five earned runs on nine hits.

     Both teams square off again tomorrow in game two of a three-game weekend series. First pitch in slated for 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

**************

Albany (5-2)           000 000 050 - 5 12 2

UNC Asheville (4-5) 020 020 21x - 7 11 1

Adam Kroft, Nick Ragone (7), Mark Suchowiecki (8), Shawn Ryan (8) and Jason Martin

Steven Cook, David Williams (8), Chris Nigro (9) and Nick Jaksa

UALBANY BASEBALL TAKES PAIR FROM PREVIOUSLY UNBEATEN LEHIGH IN ATLANTIC CITY

     Atlantic City, N.J. – Jason Martin and Tony Vallone each had three RBI to lead UAlbany past Lehigh, 7-4, in game one of a non-conference doubleheader on Sunday, Feb. 29 at The Sandcastle, home of the minor league Atlantic City Surf. The Great Danes, who are off to their best start since upgrading to the Division I level in 2000, swept the Mountain Hawks by taking the nightcap, 8-7.

     Albany (5-1) got on the board in the opener when Martin, a senior catcher, led off the top of the second with a double and would later come home on Vallone’s two-run homer. Brendan Chiavaro doubled in Derek DeGrazio to give the Great Danes a 3-0 lead later in the inning.

     Martin singled in Dan Schoonmaker and Joe Lamb in the third to give Steve Emmerthal, who pitched 5.2 innings to earn the win, all the run support he would need. Shawn Ryan collected his third save of the season by striking out two in the seventh to seal the decision for the Great Danes.

     In game two, Pat Delaney’s three-run home run was part of a second inning in which UAlbany scored five times to erase a 2-0 deficit. Lehigh (6-2) responded with five runs of their own in the top of the third, thanks in part to five Albany errors, in regaining the lead at 7-5.

     The Great Danes rallied to tie the contest at seven apiece in the fourth, when Schoonmaker lined a RBI-triple off the center field wall. Martin plated the winning run in the sixth with a sacrifice fly that chased home Vallone, who had walked. Adam Kroft, who came on in relief, picked up the win. Ryan pitched the seventh, giving up no hits and striking out two, to pick up his fourth save in four chances this season.

UALBANY FIFTH IN AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE BASEBALL PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL

     Boston, Mass.-- Northeastern University is the preseason favorite to repeat as the conference baseball champion this year, according to a vote of the head coaches. The Huskies received four of a possible eight first-place votes and 59 points overall. University of Maine was picked to finish second, garnering four first-place votes as well with 57 points.

     Stony Brook University was third with 46 points as University of Vermont followed with 39 points. University at Albany (27) and league newcomer UMBC (27) were knotted for the fifth spot, with Binghamton University (18) and Hartford (15) rounding out the poll.

     The top four teams in the conference will advance to the America East Championship, held at Mahaney Diamond in Orono, Maine on May 27-29, with the winner of the tournament receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.

     The Huskies (27-24 overall, 12-10 in America East) won their third America East title last year, their first since 1997. Northeastern advanced to the NCAA Regional in Baton Rouge, La. after routing Stony Brook, 11-0, in the America East Championship game. The NCAA appearance was the Huskies' third in program history.

     Junior third baseman Tim Bush, a second-team choice, was second in the conference in hitting (.353) last season and led NU in RBIs (36) and slugging percentage (.540), while posting a .950 fielding percentage. Chris Emanuele, a second-team and all-rookie selection, started all 51 games in the outfield as a freshman last season and was named to the All-Region team at the NCAA Regionals. He led Northeastern during the 2003 campaign in runs scored (36) and hits (59). The ace of McPhee's pitching staff is expected to be senior Justin Hedrick. The 6-3 right-handed pitcher led America East in strikeouts per game (11.44) last year, while posting 7-2 record with a 3.47 earned run average.

     Maine (38-18, 17-7 in America East) returns two all-conference selections and two all-rookie members from last season, highlighted by 2003 America East Rookie of the Year sophomore pitcher Greg Norton. In his freshman campaign, the 6-3 right-handed pitcher compiled a 7-1 record with a 2.97 ERA. Senior outfielder Simon Williams, a first-team selection, tallied just one error in the field through 44 games played last season (.982 fielding percentage). Aaron Izaryk, a junior catcher, was a second-team pick that posted an impressive .995 fielding percentage as he started 52 of 56 games. Izaryk also hit .310 with a team-best 36 walks.

     The Seawolves posted their best mark last season in America East play (33-21, 15-9) since joining the conference in baseball for the 2002 season. Stony Brook knocked off Maine in the conference championship for the second consecutive season before losing in the championship game to Northeastern. Junior shortstop Matt Devins, a second-teamer, returns to anchor the infield. Devins hit .307 during his sophomore season, while posting the most doubles (20) in the league. An all-rookie selection Matt Restivo will look to improve upon his successful freshman season this year. Restivo made a league-best 24 appearances and recorded the most saves in the conference (4), while posting a 3.34 ERA and a 6-4 record.

     The 2003 Coach of the Year Bill Currier leads a Vermont team that returns 17 letterwinners from last year’s squad that went 32-14, won UVM’s first-ever America East regular season championship and set a new school record for victories. Eight of the nine regulars in the batting order are back, as well as four of the top seven pitchers. The 2003 America East Player of the Year, Bobby Tewksbary returns as the top Catamount. Tewksbary, a shortstop, led the league in hitting (.357), had a .561 slugging percentage, 11 doubles, five homers and 30 RBI. Also back is First Team All-Conference first baseman Barry Chamberland who was third in the conference in hitting at .346, second in homers with 11 and led the Catamounts with 41 RBI.

     An Albany team that missed the four-team America East Championship by just two games last season returns 22 letterwinners and all nine starters from a year ago. The Great Danes, still a young team with 18 underclassmen on their roster, will look to seniors Dan Schoonmaker and Steve Emmerthal, both second-team all-conference selections, to lead the club. UA also returns all-rookie selection Kyle Thomas.

     UMBC enters its first season of America East baseball after finishing fourth overall in the Northeast Conference a season ago. The Retrievers will return Kevin Brooks who hit .356 last year, along with Jay Long and Zach Clark who hit .325 and .314 respectively. The Retrievers also return starter Eric Butkiewicz who had a 3.95 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 2003.

     Binghamton, which finished seventh in the America East standings a year ago, returns first-team outfielder T.J. Kowalchuck and second-team outfielder Joe Costello. Kowalchuck hit .298 and drove in 41 runs, while compiling a .543 slugging percentage for the Bearcats in 2003. Costello banged out a .313 average to lead the Bearcats.

     Hartford finished sixth in the 2003 conference standings. Head coach Harvey Shapiro will return two top hitters in junior outfielder Josh Topp and junior first baseman Ryan Cuscovitch, who was a first-team selection as a freshman in 2002. Both Topp and Cuscovitch tied for sixth in the conference in hitting last year, each sporting a .333 batting average.

UALBANY BASEBALL TOPS EVANSVILLE, 9-8, IN SEASON OPENER

     Conway, S.C – First baseman Dan Schoonmaker drove in four runs, including a game-tying three-run home run in the seventh inning, to lead UAlbany past Evansville, 9-8, in the season opener for both teams at Coastal Carolina’s Beach Blast Tournament on Friday, Feb. 20 at Watson Stadium.

     Evansville (0-1) added to its 4-3 lead in the top half of the seventh when Erik Lis hit a two-run homer to right-center plating Mike Serafini, who reached on leadoff double. Later in the inning, Cody Strait scored on a fielding error giving the Purple Aces a 7-3 advantage.

     Albany (1-0) responded in its half of the seventh as Brad Daniels led off with a walk and later scored on Brendan Chiavaro’s single to left. Schoonmaker, a second team All-America East Conference selection last season, then hit a three-run shot down the left field line that tied the contest by pushing across Joe Lamb, who also singled, and Chiavaro.

     The Great Danes, who won their opening game for the first time since 1998, loaded the bases in eighth on a single by Derek DeGrazio followed by walks to Lamb and Daniels. With the bases loaded, Albany went ahead, 9-7, as Schoonmaker and Jason Martin were both issued free passes by reliever Kip Simon.

     Albany closer Shawn Ryan (Stillwater) earned a save in the ninth in relief of Mark Suchowiecki, who picked up his fourth career win. Ryan forced a groundball double play and struck out Strait swinging to end the contest. Adam Kroft (Shenendehowa) got the start and went six innings giving up five earned runs on nine hits.

     The Great Danes return on Saturday afternoon as they take on Rider in day three of the Beach Blast Tournament. First pitch is slated for 4:00 p.m.

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2004 Coastal Carolina Beach Blast Tournament

Evansville (0-1)          001  201  301  -    8 11 1

Albany (1-0)              011  001  42x  -    9  9  3

Adam Rogers, Mitch Prout (7), Kip Simon (8) and Dustin Knight.

Adam Kroft, Mark Suchowiecki (7), Shawn Ryan (9) and Jason Martin.

     Albany, N.Y.— The University at Albany baseball team will open its 2004 season against Evansville at Coastal Carolina’s Beach Blast Tournament on Friday, Feb. 20. Rider and Missouri will also participate along with the host school in the four-day event.

     Head coach Jon Mueller, the former Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs standout, begins his fifth season at the helm of the UAlbany program. He led his team to a 20-32 record, including 10-12 in America East Conference play, last year, and narrowly missing out on the program’s first trip to the postseason conference tournament. The Great Danes have recorded back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time in Division I play.

     A pair of seniors return to this year’s squad. First baseman Dan Schoonmaker and pitcher Steve Emmerthal each earned second-team All-America East honors last season. Emmerthal, the ace of the UAlbany staff, led the team in wins (5), ERA (3.94) and strikeouts (73) in 2003. Joining him in the rotation will be sophomore Kyle Thomas, who was named to the conference’s all-rookie team.

     The Great Danes saw their power numbers increase last season compared to 2002. The club hit 34 home runs, 14 more than the previous spring, and drove in 246 runs. Leading the way was Schoonmaker, who had team-highs with a .336 average, seven homers and 34 RBI, while Kirt Zimniewicz and Joe Lamb added six long-balls apiece. Junior Derek DeGrazio and senior Brendan Chiavaro contributed 31 and 30 RBI, respectively.

     UAlbany will take on Evansville at 1:00 p.m. at Watson Stadium in Conway, South Carolina on Friday. The Great Danes square off against Rider on Saturday at 4 p.m. and then battle Missouri (10 a.m.) and Coastal Carolina (4 p.m.) on Sunday.