Danes fall to New York Tech in finale

Before last Sunday's game against New York Tech, 11 members of the University at Albany baseball team were honored as part of Senior Day.

The game that followed was not the way they wanted to go out. The Great Danes did not get the pitching or offense it needed as they fell to NYIT, 14-7.

Sunday's game was the last of a scheduled four-game series between the two teams. On Friday, NYIT (18-25-1) pounded the Danes 15-5, scoring seven runs in the ninth to pull away and take the victory. Saturday saw the teams do battle in a doubleheader with Albany (22-27-1, 13-7 America East) winning the first game 7-3 with a huge performance by catcher Ryan Gugel, who hit a three-run home run and added a two-run double in the fifth. The second game was a back-and-forth tilt as the teams traded run-scoring innings, but the game was called due to heavy rain with both teams tied 4-4 in the eighth.

Senior Cory Warrings took the mound in his final home game at Albany on Sunday, but poor defense by the Danes and good hitting by NYIT led to an early exit for the starter.

The third inning was where the trouble began as a leadoff double by Bears left fielder Sebastian Grazziani started things off. An error by Albany third baseman Pete Eichner on a hard-hit ground ball off the bat of Brian Smith opened the scoring. With two men out and a runner on second, NYIT third baseman Effery Valdez smashed a single down the left field line to bring home the second run. The Bears' tacked on another run to get out of the inning with a 3-0 lead.

After the Danes went quietly in the bottom half, NYIT continued their offensive output in the fourth with a productive two-out rally. Denten Neill smacked a 2-run double after consecutive singles.

The Bears weren't done though, as Valdez launched an opposite-field, two-run home run over the right field fence to make it 7-0 before UAlbany coach Jon Mueller removed Warrings.

"I actually thought he threw the ball well," Mueller said. "He got a lot of ground balls. We didn't make a few plays and we didn't turn that one double play. I thought there were some plays we could've made in the infield."

Bears' starter Andrew Guarassi scattered six hits and one run over 8 1/3 innings.

Trailing 14-1 in the bottom of the ninth, the Danes showed signs of life. Singles by Gugel and center fielder Dave West chased Guarassi. With the bases loaded, a groundout to first scored the Danes second run. A walk by designated hitter Ralph Keppler followed by an infield single by third baseman Joe Ilacqua set the table for left fielder Gary Pitcheralle who hit a 2-run double. Shortstop Sean Donovan crushed a double to center, sending home two more.

But it was not to be, as NYIT got the final out to take home the victory.

The Danes will take on America East Conference opponent Hartford in a four-game series this weekend to close out the season and determine whether or not they will qualify for the postseason conference tournament.

After the game, both Mueller and Donovan spoke of the accomplishments of the group of 11 seniors.

"This group of seniors has been instrumental in putting this program on the map. Very simply put, they have great character, they're great leaders, they accept their roles and they've been great kids for the young guys to follow," Mueller said.

"Lot of great memories, lot of great guys and I think we're all a little sad today but we're looking forward to the playoffs," Donovan said, who listed Albany's conference title victory over top-seeded Binghamton in 2007 as his favorite memory.

"It's been great," Donavan said of his time at UAlbany. "Today was bittersweet but I wouldn't change a thing."