VESTAL, N.Y. – Having already watched his teammates help the Binghamton baseball team rally multiple times, Andrew Heppner stepped to the plate for the first time on Friday in the bottom of the 10th inning, looking to help the Bearcats complete the comeback.
 
One swing of the bat later, the sophomore put the Bearcats ahead for good.
 
Heppner's pinch-hit walk-off solo home run helped the Bearcats (15-13, 7-3 America East) defeat the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (16-12, 5-2 America East) 6-5 Friday at the Bearcats Baseball Complex. Heppner's home run, his second in as many games, secured a crucial win for the Bearcats, as both Binghamton and UMBC battle for first place in the America East Conference standings during this weekend's three-game series.
 
For Heppner, he made sure to be ready for his opportunity.
 
"It means a lot," said the Floral Park, N.Y., native. "[Binghamton Head Baseball Coach Tim Sinicki] talks about it every day. Every guy on the bench, every guy in the bullpen has to be ready to go at any time. So, I was called on, and thankfully, I got it done for this team."
 
Binghamton would have to overcome a deficit on multiple occasions Friday. First, the Retrievers jumped out to a 1-0 lead when, with the bases loaded, Jesiah Carpenter grounded into a double play to bring home Derek Paris for the Retrievers. UMBC then added another run in the fifth inning when Dylan Melton reached on a fielder's choice, bringing in Jesiah Carpenter.
 
Binghamton responded in the bottom half of the fifth. Zach Anderson began the rally with a leadoff double hit to center field. After Grant Hunter was hit by a pitch, Mike Stellrecht reached on a fielder's choice, which led to Anderson being thrown out at third. Tim Henning was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Braylen Gonzalez then struck out, leaving Binghamton down to its last out for the inning. Sean Sweeney made sure the Bearcats did not leave the inning empty-handed, as the sophomore infielder singled up the middle to score Hunter and Stellrecht, tying the game at 2.
 
The momentum was short-lived for Binghamton, however, as UMBC responded with three runs in the top of the sixth to retake the lead 5-2. The Bearcats would have to make another charge for the lead.
 
That surge came in the bottom of the seventh inning. With one out, Gonzalez got on base with a bunt single. Sweeney then sacrificed himself with a bunt single to move Gonzalez to second base. After Matt Bolton was intentionally walked, Steven Kraus reached on an error by second baseman Joe Lomangino, allowing Gonzalez to score. With the Bearcats down 5-3, Tommy Popoff singled to left field to bring in Bolton from second. Kraus now stood at second himself, representing the tying run. He would be brought home thanks to Anderson's second double of the game to even the game at 5.
 
Both teams battled into extra innings. After Aiden Milburn retired all three UMBC batters he faced in the top of the 10th inning, Heppner was called on to make his first trip to the plate. Down in the count 0-2, Heppner swung and connected on a pitch in the zone from Brady Fox.
 
"I kind of had a feeling [I hit the ball out of the park], but I was just out there sprinting," said Heppner. "I didn't know what was going on too much."
 
Once the ball cleared the left field fence, the reality set in for the pinch hitter turned walk-off hero.
 
"Just joy," said Heppner regarding how he felt once he realized he hit a walk-off home run. "I was running around making sure to touch every base because that would stink [if I didn't]. But just seeing the guys at home plate, that's really what you play for. It's the guys around you. It was a great feeling. One of the best in my life."
 
Binghamton has now won nine of its last 11 games dating back to March 21. If the Bearcats defeat the Retrievers in their next game against each other on Saturday, Binghamton takes possession of first place in the America East.
 
"It means a lot," said Heppner about what it means to win the opening game of this series. "We always talk about winning series is winning the week. So, we're halfway to winning the week, and just a couple more games to win the series, maybe come out with a sweep. But this is a big series for us."
 
The first pitch for Saturday's game is set for 2 p.m. Admission to all Binghamton home baseball games this season is free on behalf of United Health Services (UHS).
 
UHS is the presenting sponsor of Bearcats Baseball.