No. 20 Bulldogs drop series opener to LIU, 7-2, Saturday

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – LIU Brooklyn scored five runs all with two outs in the second inning on its way to a 7-2 victory over the No. 20 Bryant University baseball team in game one of Saturday's doubleheader at LIU Field.

The Bulldogs (33-9, 16-3 NEC) combined to issue 10 walks and allow just five hits in the game. The Blackbirds (14-28, 8-11) inched closer to a possible playoff berth with the victory.

LIU scored all it would need after there were two outs and no one on in the second. The Blackbirds took advantage of four walks and registered just three hits in the inning. Andrew Turner worked a full-count walk and Luis Rios followed with a walk to put two runners on. A single to right brought home the first run and Charles Misiano tied the game as he slapped a single through the right side. A bases-loaded walk gave LIU the lead and Andy Camilo plate the final two runs of the inning with a double into the right field corner.

The Blackbirds added two insurance runs in the sixth to extend their lead to 7-2. Turner hit a ground-rule double to open the inning, moved to third on a sac bunt and scored on a sac fly. A two-out throwing error scored the second run of the inning.

Bryant held a brief 2-0 lead after an inning and a half. With a man on in the second, junior Brandon Bingel (Peabody, Mass.) launched his fifth home run of the season over the left field fence.

Sophomore James Karinchak (Walden, N.Y.) suffered just his second loss of the season as he allowed a career-high seven runs (six earned) over 5 1/3 innings. He walked five, struck out six and allowed just five hits. Sophomore Ross Weiner (Woodbridge, Conn.) pitched 1 1/3 innings of relief, issuing four walks but no runs. Redshirt-junior Oliver Powers (Newtown, Conn.) pitched the final 1 1/3, retiring all four he faced.

Six different Bryant players finished with hits on the afternoon. Senior Robby Rinn (Warwick, R.I.) and junior Matt Albanese (East Haddam, Conn.) each extended their on-base streaks to 38 and 33, respectively.

Baylor LaPointe tossed a complete game for the Blackbirds, allowing just two runs on six hits. He didn't walk a batter and struck out five. His defense played well behind him, especially Brian Lamboy in left who threw out a pair of runners trying to extend singles into extra bases. Camilo and Misiano each drove in two, while Turner and Joe Mercadante each scored twice.