The America East baseball tournament delivered a thriller on Tuesday night as the Binghamton Bearcats edged out the University of Maine 6-5 in a semifinal that kept their hopes of a second straight conference title alive.
A Ninth-Inning Miracle
Binghamton appeared to be on the brink of defeat after falling behind 5-4 in the top of the ninth, but a timely rally turned the tide. After Braylen Gonzalez opened the inning with a single, Matt Bolton and Zack Kent drew walks to load the bases, setting the stage for Caden Albright’s hit‑by‑pitch that knotted the game at 5-5.
The decisive moment arrived when Zach Anderson was issued a bases-loaded walk, forcing home the winning run and sparking a roar from the home crowd. Earlier in the game, Tim Hennig had sparked the offense with a triple in the seventh inning, while Steven Kraus contributed a double and a run in the eighth, and Sam Miller added a clutch scoring play that tied the contest before Anderson’s walk‑off.
On the mound, starter Mason Holloway limited Maine to a single run over 3.1 innings, striking out five batters, while relievers Jackson Mitchell and Hayden Tarsia combined to shut down the Black Bears for the remainder of the game, preserving the narrow lead.
The championship round is slated for Saturday, with a 1 p.m. first game and a possible 5 p.m. nightcap contingent on weather conditions. A win would not only crown the Bearcats as America East champions for the second consecutive year but also secure a berth in the NCAA Regional tournament, an achievement that has been a season-long goal.
Coach Mike Stellrecht praised the team’s resilience, noting that the depth of the roster and the composure under pressure have been hallmarks of their campaign. As the Bearcats prepare for the final, they do so with the added anticipation of the NCAA Selection Show, which will air at noon on Monday on ESPN2.