March 28, 2004
WEST HAVEN, Conn. - Josh Sowers gave up two runs and six hits over seven innings for the Bulldogs, however Derek DeGrazio doubled home the game-winning run in the top of the ninth to lift the Albany baseball team to a 3-2 extra-inning victory over Yale in game one of a doubleheader at Yale Field on Sunday afternoon. Albany went on to win 8-0 in the nightcap.
In game one, Jake Doyle lined a 2-1 pitch up the middle to score Randy Leonard and Josh Zabar in the first inning to give Yale a 2-0 lead, which held up until the seventh inning.
In the top of the seventh, a Fred Estes ground out scored the game-tying run for the Great Danes to send the game into extra innings. DeGrazio's double gave Albany a 3-2 lead in the ninth, as Shawn Ryan came on to collect the save for the Great Danes.
The Bulldogs stranded a runner at third during the eighth, as Marc Sawyer led off the inning and was hit by a pitch. Zac Bradley pinch ran for Sawyer and stole second, then moved over to third on a John Janco grounder to second for the first out of the inning. Roman Dubiel was able to retire the last two Yale hitters.
Sowers struck out four and walked one and escaped a sixth-inning jam by inducing a comebacker, which retired the side and left runners at first and third.
Leonard and Doyle each went 2-for-4 for the Bulldogs.
In the nightcap, Albany (13-3) scored in each of the first three innings and Kyle Thomas pitched five scoreless innings to collect the win. Justin Ankney and Sawyer both went 1-for-3 for Yale.
The Bulldogs return to action to host the University of Connecticut on Wednesday afternoon at Yale Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
