For Immediate Release: May 13, 2006
Contact: John Hartrick (hartrick@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6800

Binghamton baseball on short end of 14-11 slugfest at New Orleans
Nation's ERA leader Groh touched up for six runs in 2 2/3 innings

Box Score

NEW ORLEANS, La. - University of New Orleans (25-26) scored in seven of eight innings to outslug visiting Binghamton (25-19-1) 14-11 Saturday afternoon at Maestri Field.

Sophomore Zach Groh (Reading, Pa.), the nation's ERA leader (0.82) for the last three weeks, endured his worst start of the season. Groh (4-3) lasted just 2 2/3 innings, giving up more earned runs (6) than he has in nine previous outings combined (5). The very first New Orleans batter of the game doubled off Groh, who also gave up a two-run shot in the third inning. Entering the game, Groh had allowed just five extra-base hits in 54.2 innings. His ERA jumped up to 1.73 after the outing.

In all, the Privateers roughed up BU's typically superb pitching to the tune of 15 hits, including six for extra bases. New Orleans scored single runs in the first and second innings and plated four runs in the third to chase Groh. They added two more in the fourth for an 8-0 lead. The Bearcats put a six-spot in their column in the fifth inning and the slugfest was on.

Binghamton closed to within 12-10 thanks to a four-run seventh inning, but UNO responded with another run in their half of the frame and yet another in the eighth.

Junior second baseman Matt Simek (Vestal, N.Y.) belted a grand slam over the center field wall in the six-run fifth inning - his third home run of the season and second slam of his collegiate career. Freshman third baseman Kyle Klee (Rochester, N.Y.) went 2-for-5 with a double and three RBI. Junior first baseman Brendon Hitchcock (Laceyville, Pa.) went 2-for-5 with an RBI. Hitchcock is hitting .462 with 22 RBI in his last 21 games, and raised his season average to .374. Senior center fielder Aaron Davis (San Francisco, Calif.) went 2-for-5 with two runs scored.

The Bearcats left nine runners stranded and grounded into two double plays.

The teams will play the final game of the three-game series at noon on Sunday.

NOTES
Simek is hitting .400 (20-for-50) with 14 RBI in his last 14 games ... Junior outfielder Mike Papili (Lancaster, N.Y.) is hitting .435 (10-for-23) in his last six starts ... The 14 runs allowed is the most BU has given up since surrendering 21 runs to Delaware State in the third game of the season (March 5).