SMITHFIELD, R.I. - Sophomore pinch-hitter Sean Sweeney roped an RBI double down the left field line in the 10th inning to lift Binghamton baseball (6-8, 1-0 America East) past host Bryant (6-8, 0-1 AE) 4-3 in 10 innings in the conference opener between the top two America East contenders Friday afternoon at Conaty Park.

The game was the first matchup since the two teams played for the America East championship last May, when the Bearcats prevailed 6-5 in 11 innings to capture the program's sixth tournament title. 

With the score even at 3-3 in the 10th, sophomore first baseman Steven Kraus led off with a double off the wall in right center. He then went to third on a wild pitch. Sweeney came off the bench and jumped on a 2-0 pitch and sent it into the left field corner, easily scoring Kraus with the go-ahead run. 

In the bottom of the frame, junior closer Jackson Mitchell (W, 1-0) retired Bryant in order to lock up the win. Mitchell, who hasn't allowed an earned run in 14.1 innings this spring, recorded a strikeout and two fly outs to end it. 

Kraus hit two doubles to extend his hit streak to nine games and lift his season average to .333. Binghamton's other seven hits were registered by seven different players. 

The Bearcats jumped ahead 2-0 with two runs in the third. With two outs, sophomore third baseman Tim Hennig belted a first-pitch solo home run to right center - his second of the season. The Bearcats then put two runners on via hit-by-pitch and walk before a Bryant wild pitch and throwing error allowed another run to score.

The Bulldogs, however, scored single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings to take a 3-2 lead. 

Binghamton tied the game with a run in the seventh. Junior catcher Zach Anderson drew a leadoff walk and pinch runner Sam Miller stole second. With one out, sophomore catcher Tommy Popoff hit a single up the middle to score Miller and even the game at 3-3. Anderson's hit raised his season average to .355.  

Three Bearcat pitchers combined to keep Bryant's offense in check. Junior starter Conner Griffin scattered four hits in 4.2 innings. Sophomore Jake Dally then went 3.1 scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Mitchell worked the final two innings and added two strikeouts to his season total. 

The teams continue the three-game set at 1 p.m. Saturday.