8/23/09

Connecticut 7, Binghamton 4




Binghamton took a 6-4 lead into the ninth inning Sunday afternoon, but Connecticut came up with walk-off magic for the second straight day to overcome the two-run deficit to win 7-6 at Dodd Stadium. Salvador Paniagua led the way for the B-Mets offensively with a 3-4 showing, including a double and three RBIs.

Jose De La Torre came on for Roy Merritt in the ninth inning in search of his first save, attempting to protect a two-run lead. The frame got off to an ominous start with a walk to Brock Bond. Mike McBryde followed with his third hit of the game, a single to right moving Bond to third. After Brett Pill struck out swinging, Eddy Martinez-Esteve slapped a single through the right side plating Bond and advancing McBryde to third.

With the tying run 90 feet away, De La Torre whiffed Ramon Castro for the second out. However, Tyler LaTorre followed, pinch-hitting for Mike Mooney, and singled to center to score McBryde, tying the score at six apiece. Sharlon Schoop completed the improbable win with a bouncing ball through the hole on the left side, bringing the winning run home.

Binghamton (48-77) scored the first six runs of the game. In the fourth inning, Shawn Bowman doubled to start the frame against Defenders starter Ben Snyder. Paniagua followed with a bloop single to right, plating Bowman for a 1-0 lead.

The fifth saw five runs come across for the B-Mets. Bowman got the run-scoring started with a bases-loaded RBI single to left. Paniagua followed with a two-run double down the line at third, lengthening the lead to 4-0. Kiger finished the damage with a two-run single to right off reliever Craig Whitaker, pitting Binghamton out to a 6-0 advantage.

Connecticut (73-53) responded with a three-run fifth inning to cut the lead in half. Starter Eric Niesen exited after the fifth inning. The lefty allowed three earned runs in five innings and struck out four men in taking the no-decision.

The Defenders moved within two in the seventh when McBryde scored on an RBI groundout from Martinez-Esteve off Emary Frederick.

Dan Griffin, who tossed a scoreless ninth inning with a pair of strikeouts, picked up his seventh win for Connecticut.

Kiger went 3-4 in the game with 2 RBIs and Bowman came up with a 2-5 showing with a double and an RBI.

Binghamton looks to split the series Monday evening. The B-Mets will throw RHP Dylan Owen (4-9, 5.58) and the Defenders will counter with LHP Jesse English (7-7, 3.76). The first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 and the radio broadcast on Newsradio 1290 WNBF begins at 6:20 with the Horizons Federal Credit Union Pre-Game Show.

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