For Immediate Release: March 5, 2006
Contact: John Hartrick (hartrick@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6800

Binghamton baseball loses opener, ties nightcap at Delaware State
Bearcats' pitching shellacked in 21-11 loss; teams settle for 3-3 tie

Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box

DOVER, Del. - One day after allowing 14 runs in the opening game of a twinbill, host Delaware State (4-10-1) turned the tables on Binghamton (1-2-1) on Sunday, producing 21 runs in eight innings of a 21-11 game one victory. After that three-and-a-half hour contest, the two teams settled for a 3-3 tie in game two, which was halted after five innings.

Four BU pitchers surrendered a total of 23 hits and 21 runs in eight innings and the Hornets broke away from a 7-7 tie with four runs in each of the sixth and seventh innings. Delaware State added six more runs in the eighth inning. The Bearcats also hurt themselves defensively with five errors.

Offensively, BU plated double-digit runs for the second time in three games. Junior first baseman Brendon Hitchcock (Laceyville, Pa.) ripped a three-run home run in the first inning and wound up 3-for-3 with four RBI. Junior designated hitter Jeff Wertepny (Des Plaines, Ill.) went 3-for-4 with three RBI and junior shortstop Justin Smucker (Bird-in-Hand, Pa.) hit a solo home run. Junior second baseman Matt Simek (Vestal, N.Y.) and freshman left fielder Ken Jacobi (Milford, Conn.) had two hits apiece.

In game two, sophomore pitcher Zach Groh (Reading, Pa.) tossed three innings of two-hit ball and left the game with a 3-0 lead before the Hornets struck for the tying runs in the fifth inning. Groh, who missed nearly the entire 2005 season with an injury, struck out five and walked just one in a sharp season debut.

Junior catcher Pat Haughie (St. James, N.Y.) homered for the second straight day - a leadoff shot in the fourth inning. He now has three home runs and eight RBI in four games.

Binghamton next heads to Fresno, Calif. for the Pepsi/Johnny Quik Tournament - a seven-team event that begins on March 13. The Bearcats open with a game against Lafayette at 10 a.m.