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Binghamton baseball rallied for six runs in the ninth inning, stunning Hartford, 10-9, on April 17. Reed Gamache hit a walk-off single to left field, capping the dramatic comeback for the Bearcats, who swept a three-game America East series at Varsity Field this weekend.

Binghamton improved to 14-18 overall and 10-2 in the conference. Hartford moved to 21-10 overall and 5-7 in the league. Binghamton took a pair of games from the Hawks on April 16, clinching the series win. It is now 7-0 at home in 2016, including a pair of America East sweeps.

The Hawks led, 7-1, in the sixth inning and held a 9-4 difference entering the bottom of the ninth. Coach Tim Sinicki’s squad refused to give up, though, putting together an epic six-run rally to steal a win. Facing Colin Ferguson, Gamache led off with a double to center and then Brendan Skidmore and Eddie Posavec each walked. Jason Agresti followed with a squibber that Ferguson mishandled. Instead of the out at home, Ferguson settled for an out at first, as Gamache scored.

Nick Wegmann walked Paul Rufo hit a groundball to short, where Hartford made an error, allowing Skidmore to score and make it 9-6. With the bases loaded, Chris McGee popped out to first, forcing the Bearcats down to their last out. C.J. Krowiak followed with a single to center, plating Posavec. With David Schanz at the plate, Ferguson unleashed a pair of wild pitches, scoring two more runs tying the game. Schanz walked, placing runners at the corners for Gamache. On a 1-1 count, the senior lined a single into left field, driving in Krowiak and sending the Bearcats to pandemonium. The rally was the largest in a Binghamton walk-off victory in the program’s Division I era (starting in 2001).

“We always try to win every game we take the field,” Sinicki said. “You always try to win series. At the same time, we had the chance to go for the kill today and sweep a team that has a really good RPI and a good overall record. What can you say about a team that battles back from a 7-1 deficit and puts up six in the bottom of the ninth to win the game. It’s a true testament to the type of kids we have in the program and how they never give up until the game is actually over.”

Earlier in the day, Hartford took control with four runs in the top of the fifth, grabbing a 5-1 advantage. The Hawks tacked on two more runs in the sixth, expanding their margin to six. Binghamton responded in the bottom of the sixth, plating three runs. Skidmore and Posavec each singled, ending the day for Hartford starter Sam McKay. The Hawks forced a double play in the next at-bat, but Wegmann doubled to left center field, scoring Skidmore. Wegmann advanced to third on a passed ball and then Rufo walked. Krowiak followed with a two-run single to center, pulling the Bearcats within 7-4. A strikeout ended the inning.

The visitors played add-on later in the game, scoring a run in the eighth and the ninth to extend their advantage. Binghamton loaded the bases in three separate innings, but the Hawks limited the damage and came away with the victory.

Posavec’s one-out triple set up Binghamton’s first run of the day in the bottom of the fourth inning. Agresti followed with a double to right, driving in Posavec to tie the contest at 1. Ashton Bardzell had homered for Hartford in the top of the third to open scoring.

The home team recorded several stellar defensive plays early in the contest, as McGee threw out Aaron Wilson at home on a flyball double play to end the first inning and then Rufo made a pair of terrific plays at shortstop to generate outs.

Gamache finished 3-6 with two doubles and the game-winning RBI. Posavec went 3-4 with two runs and a triple, while Krowiak and Skidmore each tallied two hits. Tsuyoshi Horibata pitched the ninth inning to claim his first win of the season.

The Bearcats head to Marist for a non-league doubleheader on Wednesday, April 20. The first game is set for a 2 p.m. start.