Binghamton salvages final game, 4-1 over UMass Lowell

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After being outscored sixteen to two in the first two games of this holiday weekend series, The Binghamton Bearcats (15-17, 5-6 in AE) needed a strong pitching performance if they were to get one game on the weekend. That outing was turned in by freshman left-handed pitcher, Thomas Babalis, (3-1) who went seven strong innings giving up only three hits and one earned run.

The offense was supplied by one swing of the bat by another freshman first baseman Kevin Gsell. His second-inning home run was enough to give the Bearcats a 4-1 victory over the UMass Lowell River Hawks (9-27, 6-9 in AE).

After the ballgame River Hawks head coach, Ken Harring stated that his team “was outpitched today” and he was right. His offense could muster only five hits against three Bearcats pitchers on the day. They did have some chances to get back into the game and even take a lead. But, the big hits were not to be found on this Easter Sunday and it would be the difference in the game.

Kendall Pomeroy, (0-2, 3 IP, five hits, four earned runs, one strikeout) got the start for the River Hawks. His outing would be defined by one bad breaking pitch. It came in the second inning after he surrendered two infield bleeding base hits to Sam Freeman and Anthony Meduri. Both finished with two-for-four days. It would bring to the plate, Gsell who launched a hanging breaking ball off the scoreboard in left for a three-run home run. His first of the season, to give his team a three to nothing advantage.

The Bearcats would add another run off of Pomeroy in the third on a RBI double down the left-field line by Freeman that scored Alex Baratta who led the inning off with the third infield hit of the game. This one was to the shortstop hole and he would steal second. He scored on the extra-base hit from Freeman. 4-0 Binghamton.

Meanwhile, Babalis was putting up zeroes. He did escape one jam in the third inning. The River Hawks loaded the sacks on a hit batter, infield single, and a walk. Clean up batter, Steve Passatempo came to the dish with an opportunity to get his team back in the game. Instead, Babalis got him to fly out to center-field to end the inning and the threat.

Babalis did make one mistake giving up a leadoff home run to Oscar Marchena, his first of the season, to left in the sixth. Marchena went three-for-four, one RBI, and one run scored. It brought the River Hawks back to within three at four to one. The Bearcats bullpen combo of Robert Brown and Jack Collins took care of the final two frames with Collins getting the save, his second of the year.

A bright spot for the River Hawks was the relief outing turned in by Henry Funaro. The sophomore has struggled this season, but on Sunday was lights out. He went six innings allowing only two hits and no runs. He did walk two and struck out five, throwing 95 pitches 60 for strikes. His coach said, “his fastball command was excellent, his slider was very good”. Funaro could be a key down the stretch for a pitching staff that at the moment is a little shorthanded.

Lowell has a busy week ahead playing five games, all non-conference, starting with a trip to Boston College on Tuesday afternoon.