VESTAL, N.Y.- The Binghamton baseball team dropped a 9-6 decision to Albany on Sunday afternoon. Zach Blanden and David Schanz each notched three hits in the America East game played at the Bearcats Sports Complex.
 
BU got on the board first, scoring twice in the bottom of the second inning. Eddie Posavec walked and Jason Agresti singled to start the frame. A Kyle Coronel sacrifice advanced the runners and then Chris McGee grounded out to second, plating Posavec. Blanden followed with a single to centerfield, bringing in Agresti for a 2-0 lead.
 
Albany struck for two runs in both the fourth and fifth, but Binghamton hung around. A two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth resulted in a Bearcat run, as Schanz singled, Jake Thomas was hit by a pitch, and then Reed Gamache singled to left, driving in Schanz to make it 4-3 through five.
 
In the eighth, the Great Danes added an insurance run, but it was not enough, as BU put together a big inning in the bottom half. Brendan Skidmore homered to left centerfield, cutting the BU deficit to 5-4. Posavec was then hit by a pitch. Agresti moved him over with a bunt, and after a strikeout, pinch-hitter Pat Britt hit a sharp groundball to the right side, where a throwing error allowed Britt to reach and Posavec to score the tying run with two outs. Blanden capped the frame with a go-ahead base hit to left center, scoring C.J. Krowiak, who had come on as a pinch-runner.
 
The visitors came up with four runs in the top of the ninth to regain the lead. A single to right field scored a run to make it 9-6, but Thomas threw out Matt Hinchy at the plate, ending the rally.
 
A Gamache walk and a Posavec single gave Binghamton hope in the ninth, but a strikeout ended the threat and gave Albany the 9-6 victory.
 
Blanden went 3-4 with two RBIs. Schanz put up three hits and a run scored. Posavec had a hit, a walk and two runs scored, while Gamache added a hit, a walk, and an RBI. Rob Hardy started on the mound, going on 4.1 innings, giving up four runs on eight hits.
 
BU is 12-15-1 overall and 6-8 in the America East. Albany moved to 11-14 overall and 5-3 in the conference. The Bearcats host Cornell for a single nine-inning game on Wednesday, April 22. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Bearcats Sports Complex.