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Senior Dave Ciocchi drilled a three-run home run in extra innings to highlight an eight-run outburst in the opener and then delivered the go-ahead RBI single in the sixth inning of game 2 to spark Binghamton (18-18, 9-3 AE) to a doubleheader sweep of host Hartford (10-34, 2-12 AE) on April 29, from Fiondella Field in West Hartford, Conn. The Bearcats won 11-3 (9 inn.) and 2-1 and took three of four games in the weekend series to move into second place in the America East standings.

In the opener, scheduled for seven innings, Binghamton forced extras with three runs in the seventh to tie the game at 3-3. Then Ciocchi’s blow highlighted an eight-run ninth inning as the Bearcats batted around, doubling their hit total in one inning. But Binghamton needed a clutch final-inning to force extras. Down 3-0 in their final at-bat, the Bearcats plated three runs on three hits. Three straight singles by freshman third baseman Brian Ruby, sophomore second baseman Daniel Nevares and junior catcher Mike Danaher loaded the bases to open the inning. Freshman right fielder Zach Blanden coaxed a walk to bring in the Bearcats’ first run. Sophomore center fielder Bill Bereszniewicz made it 3-2 with an RBI groundout. Then sophomore shortstop John Howell tied the game with a sacrifice fly to left field.

Sophomore Jack Rogalla then worked out of a jam in the Hartford seventh to send the game to extra innings. The Hawks had the winning run on second with one out before Rogalla got an infield pop-up and a strikeout to end the frame. Rogalla went 7.0 innings and allowed three runs in a no-decision. Freshman Mike Urbanski piched the eighth and ninth innings to earn the win. Urbanski (2-2) didn’t allow a hit and struck out three.

In the explosive ninth frame, Bereszniewicz drove in two runs in two at-bats, including the go-ahead run on a sacrifice bunt. Howell and Danaher had RBI singles as well.

Ciocchi went 2-for-4 with the three RBI on his second homer of the season. Bereszniewicz wound up with three RBI - without a hit. Blanden went 2-for-4 with an RBI and Howell went 2-for-5 with an RBI. Junior first baseman Jordon Smucker, Ruby and Nevares had two hits apiece.

In game 2, Binghamton needed another late rally. Hartford began the game with back-to-back first-inning doubles and grabbed a 1-0 lead. After being stifled on three hits through the first five innings, the Bearcats made good in the sixth, scoring the two deciding runs on three hits.

Bereszniewicz singled to right center to start the frame. Howell singled up the middle and took second as Bereszniewicz drew a throw on his way to third. Smucker plated Bereszniewicz with a groundout to second. With the score tied at 1-1, Ciocchi ripped an RBI single to left field to score Howell with the go-ahead run.

Freshman Greg Ostner (1-0) pitched a scoreless sixth inning in relief of first-year starter Anthony Grillini and earned the win. Grillini pitched five innings and allowed just one run. Junior closer Lee Sosa worked a scoreless seventh inning for his eighth save of the season.