By Trevor Dugan
Albany Outfielder Jason Bottari broke the school’s single-season stolen base record this weekend, as the Great Danes took two out of three from Hartford.
The Great Danes offense exploded for 19 runs in game one, including six in the first inning, winning by a score of 19-8. Bottari stole his 28th and 29th bases of the year to break the Albany single-season mark. Johnny Marti led the team with five RBIs on the day. Michael Whalen and Will Binder each had four RBIs, while Josh Loeffler drove in three runs on his first-inning homer.
Ray Weber started on the mound for Albany in game one. He went six innings, allowing four runs while striking out three batters. He picked up his third win of the year.
Albany dropped the second game of the series by a score of 12-7. Hartford got a much better performance from their starter in game two, while SP Anthony Germinerio struggled for Albany, allowing seven runs while pitching into the fourth inning. Marti stayed hot, going 4-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored, but it wasn't enough to match the Hartford offense. The Hawks hit three homers off of Albany pitchers.
The Great Danes pitchers walked a combined eight batters in game two, and the offense left 13 runners on base. Head Coach Jon Mueller acknowledged the team’s struggles after the game.
“We left a number of guys on base throughout the contest,” Mueller said. “The free passes hurt us throughout as well.
In the rubber match on Sunday, the Great Danes defeated the Hawks 7-5. After Albany Starter Craig Sherrer allowed four runs in the first inning, Connor Eisenmann took the ball from him in the second. Eisenmann dominated the Hartford lineup, allowing just one run on two hits over seven innings of work while striking out eight batters.
Albany was able to quickly shrink the lead by scoring three runs in the second inning. After a Hartford solo shot in the fourth, Albany took the lead in the fifth on a two-run double by Carson Dunkel and a Bottari sacrifice fly. Dunkel finished with three RBIs and a run scored. Binder, Bottari, Loeffler, and Brad Malm each had one RBI. Chase Carroll came in to slam the door in the ninth, picking up his second save of the year. Eisenmann got the win, his fourth of the season.
Coach Mueller was much happier after the Great Danes took care of business on Sunday.
"We have been waiting for a win like this for a couple of weeks. Came back from down four and played a complete game,” Mueller said. “ Connor Eisenmann was outstanding today and Chase Carroll was sharp to close it out."
The Great Danes will come home this week for an out-of-conference matchup on Wednesday with Manhattan College.