For Immediate Release: May 7, 2006
Contact: John Hartrick (hartrick@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6800

Binghamton baseball salvages series split with 6-4 win over Hartford

Box Score

WEST HARTFORD, N.Y. - Junior designated hitter Jeff Wertepny (Des Plaines, Ill.) delivered a bases-clearing double in the seventh inning, snapping a 1-1 tie and propelling Binghamton (24-18-1, 10-8 America East) to a 6-4 victory over Hartford (10-35, 7-13 AE) Sunday afternoon at Campus Field. The win broke BU's school record (Division I) for wins in a season (23), set by the 2005 team.

With two outs in the seventh inning, Wertepny drilled a three-run double - one of two hits he collected in the game. Hartford responded with one run in the bottom of the frame but BU tacked on single runs in the eighth and ninth innings to fend off any Hawks rally.

Junior left fielder Mike Papili (Lancaster, N.Y.) went 3-for-5 and junior shortstop Justin Smucker (Bird-in-Hand, Pa.) went 3-for-6. Sophomore third baseman Ryan James (Wading River, N.Y.) was 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Junior Mike Van Gorder (Vestal, N.Y.) tossed six strong innings for his team-high fifth win of the season. Van Gorder (5-1) allowed one run on four hits and lowered his season earned run average to 2.80 in 10 appearances.

Binghamton next heads to Louisiana for a three-game weekend set at University of New Orleans.