America East Baseball News and Notes

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Teams in America East continue to get ready for league play by taking on non-conference opponents. Last weekend, three member schools took on three programs from the Power-5 ranks. While the results for UMBC, Stony Brook, and UMass Lowell were the same, (all three getting swept) progress is being made with an eye towards conference action which gets underway soon.

There are some individuals players that have gotten off to a good start for their teams. For instance, Stony Brook pitcher, Ben Ferro, leads the league in the early going in earned run average with zero runs allowed. The only run Ben has given up was unearned. He also is at the top in hits allowed with one, which would be the reason why opposing hitters are hitting at a .114 clip against Ferro in the early stages of the season.

Junior outfielder, Cam Climo of UMass Lowell, is off to a good start swinging the bat. Climo is tied for the league lead in doubles with three while ranking second in hits with 11, rbi with eight, and in sacrifice fly’s with two. He bats in a power spot in the Riverhawks lineup which means production will be critical to his team’s success.

Since no one at this point of the year has an above .500 record, players and teams are struggling just a bit early on. That’s the beauty of the early season schedule. It gives teams and players a chance to work things out before the real season begins.

One of those working things out is Binghamton pitcher Nick Gallagher. He joins a bunch of hurlers in being at the top of the home runs allowed list by giving up one long ball. At times, he has had a slight problem locating the strike zone having thrown two wild pitches which ranks him third in that category. Nick, like others pitchers, just needs more time on the hill facing live hitters.

The America East Player of the week is Michael Wilson of Stony Brook. The junior outfielder had a solid weekend for himself vs #13 Arkansas. Wilson went 5-for-10, with a pair of doubles. He drove in a pair of runs while scoring a pair as well. This is Wilson’s second honor of the season and fourth of his career.

The pitcher of the week is Michael Dombkowski of Hartford. The sophomore went seven strong innings vs Abilene-Christian. He did not allow an earned run, gave up three hits, and one walk. It is his first honor of the spring and second of his career.

The rookie of the week is UMass Lowell hurler Joshua Becker. On Sunday, Becker threw four an two-thirds innings vs the #3 ranked UNC Tar Heels., Becker gave up a run on three hits and one walk while striking out eight. In an otherwise rough weekend for the Riverhawks, Becker’s outing was that ray of sunshine this team needed. Becker also leads the league in batters struck out looking with five.