B-Mets 4, Connecticut 2

After Binghamton plated two runs in the top of the ninth, Julio De La Cruz loaded the bases to open the ninth, but managed to get out the inning without allowing a run to lead the B-Mets to victory, 4-2 over Connecticut at Dodd Stadium in Norwich. Dylan Owen pitched a season-high 6.1 innings giving up two runs and took a no-decision.



Through eight innings, the two teams were deadlocked at two each. Jose Coronado led off the ninth with his second double of the night. After Thole was hit by a pitch from reliever Joe Paterson, Lucas Duda came up with two on and no out looking to bunt. After Duda bunted through a pitch, Defenders’ catcher Jackson Williams threw in behind Coronado at second. Coronado took off for second at the sight of throw making it into third before the throw of shortstop Brandon Crawford. Crawford’s throw went astray down the third base line allowing Coronado to score the go-ahead run, making it 3-2.



The final run of the game came in with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to right from Ruben Tejada, giving Binghamton (18-18) a 4-2 lead.



Connecticut (20-18) tallied first stringing together three straight singles in the first to score Brock Bond, who walked to start the inning against Owen.



In the third, the B-Mets came back to tie it up at one. Loadenthal got the inning going with a double off starter Daryl Maday. After Coronado sacrificed Loadenthal to third, Thole grounded out to second to score the run, making it 1-1.



Binghamton took the lead in the sixth on an RBI single from D.J. Wabick after Duda walked and Shawn Bowman doubled to start the inning.



The 2-1 lead was short-lived, however. The Defenders tied the game up with a Mike Mooney sacrifice fly, scoring Crawford. Crawford went 4-4 in the game.



Roy Merritt picked up the win by throwing a scoreless eighth inning and De La Cruz notched the save, entering after Merritt walked the leadoff hitter in the ninth. Coronado was a perfect 3-3 with two doubles and a walk.



The B-Mets match up with Connecticut for a second time tomorrow when RHP Jose Sanchez (1-4, 6.00) takes on RHP Tim Alderson (1-0, 0.00). The first pitch is slated for 6:35 and the radio broadcast on Newsradio 1290 WNBF begins at 6:20 with the Horizons Federal Credit Union Pre-Game Show.