LOWELL, Mass. - After enjoying a bye on the opening day of the America East tournament, top-seeded Binghamton baseball is set to begin its quest for a fourth conference crown on Thursday. The Bearcats (27-23) will face fifth-seeded Albany (22-28) at noon at LeLacheur Park. The Great Danes defeated fourth-seeded UMBC, 8-5, in the tournament's first game on Wednesday.

Winners of 16 of their last 21 games, BU now boasts nine all-conference selections who were honored at Tuesday's awards banquet. The Bearcats went 5-1 against Albany this season, though two of the wins were by two or fewer runs. 

Senior Mike Bunal (7-3, 3.81 ERA), America East Pitcher of the Year, will take the ball against Albany. The Great Danes are likely to counter with strikeout specialist Stephen Woods (3-5, 5.76 ERA) or Ryan Stinar (5-1, 4.66 ERA). 

Win or lose, BU will only play one game on Thursday. The double-elimination championship continues on Friday and Saturday.