“Uneven” is the best word to describe the Binghamton University baseball team’s weekend against Lehigh. The Bearcats split the four-game series, winning and losing in big fashion.

In the four games, Binghamton (4-9) had a shutout win and a shutout loss, in addition to a come-from-behind win and a loss in which it blew a lead. On the whole, Binghamton head coach Tim Sinicki felt that his squad could have done better.

“I think we’re a little disappointed that we didn’t win the series … We felt that we had a good opportunity to win the series,” he said. “Our pitching depth, right now, is our biggest concern. We seem to be getting some good performances from about six guys right now … That’s only about half of what we need.”

Heartbreaking Opener

The series against the Mountain Hawks (4-10) seemed to get out to a positive start for the Bearcats. BU had a seven-run, five-hit first inning against Lehigh starter Jordan Warncke on Saturday. Unfortunately for Binghamton, its pitching couldn’t hold on to the big lead. Redshirt freshman Robert Rogers gave back two of the runs immediately, and combined with sophomore Aaron Schuldt to give up a go-ahead five-run fourth inning. In the end, the Bearcats had suffered a 12-9 loss.

“It’s tremendously disappointing. I mean, your offense spots you a seven-run lead, you’ve got to win that ballgame, and the fact that we didn’t is an absolute shame,” Sinicki said. While he understood that Rogers is a redshirt freshman coming off an injury, he was especially disappointed in his veteran relievers, who didn’t perform well either.

Freshman Shines

The second game was a story of redemption for BU. Not only did the Bearcats avenge their tough loss to Lehigh, but freshman Jay Lynch bounced back from giving up 11 runs in 2.1 innings to toss eight shutout innings. He allowed just three hits and no walks, striking out five. Sinicki had hoped to see his freshman rebound from his poor performance, and thinks this weekend was a glimpse at Lynch’s true potential.

“Believe me, it’s not easy to be thrown out there as a freshman and thrown into the starting rotation … I thought Jay was able to put that outing at Tennessee behind him. He worked hard during the two weeks leading up to his next start, which was Saturday. It was the first time, I think, we had seen this spring really that Jay had shown the type of pitcher we think he can be for us.”

Junior Corey Taylor helped lead the offensive support for Lynch, going 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI. Henry Dunn was 2-for-5 with two runs and a pair of stolen bases, knocking in the first run of the game. Junior Zach Juliano came in to pitch the ninth to finish the game.

Comeback

In a reversal of the first game of the series, it was BU who made a comeback in Game 1 Sunday. Sophomore Mike Augliera started for Binghamton, and was rocked yet again. He gave up a five-run first inning and allowed three runs in the third before being pulled, leaving the Bearcats down 9-4 after five innings. Freshman Joe Swindells came in and settled things down, giving the BU offense a chance to come back.

The offense answered that call, beginning in the sixth inning. BU loaded the bases and scored on a single, a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch to cut the lead to 9-7. The Bearcats were still down two runs in the top of the seventh with two outs, and freshman Joel Stubbs came to the plate with the last hope of winning the game. He came through, singling in two runs to tie the game. Sophomore Dave Ciocchi had a go-ahead RBI in the eighth, but the pitching gave the run back in the bottom of the inning. In the top of the ninth, it was a senior who came through with the decisive run, as senior Joe Charron hit a leadoff home run to give Binghamton the lead. A 1-2-3 ninth inning sealed the victory for Binghamton.

“We got down early in Game 1 and found a way to claw our way back,” Sinicki said. “We did get a good bullpen performance out of freshman Joe Swindells that gave our offense a chance to get back in the game, which they did, and we were happy with getting that win yesterday.”

The Bearcats were hoping for more from Augliera going into the year. A candidate to be a weekend starter, the sophomore has an 11.40 ERA through four games. He has 14 strikeouts through 15 innings, but has allowed four home runs in that time. Sinicki is becoming a little concerned about his right-hander, and hopes the last couple of weekend games will straighten Augliera out.

Wasted Performance

The final game featured Bearcat ace James Giulietti. It would be Lehigh’s pitching, though, that would come through. Giulietti allowed just two runs with nine strikeouts over seven innings, but that wasn’t good enough in a game where he received no offensive support as BU lost 5-0.

The offense compiled five hits and two walks, but couldn’t capitalize on any of them. Three of the hits came from Ciocchi, who now has a .400 average through 13 games. Sinicki admitted that his team was tired after playing four games in two days, but gave credit to Mountain Hawk pitching for holding his team in check. What he considered to be most significant, though, was the performance of Giulietti.

“I think our offense knows that they can score a few runs and when he pitches, we’re going to be in a good spot to win the game … He’s been outstanding, he’s been everything we could’ve asked for. For a young man to come in and take over the role as a No. 1 starter, he’s been terrific.”

Excluding the second game of the series, Ciocchi was the star. The former America East Rookie of the Year went 8-for-14 with five RBI and four runs scored in those three games, giving him a team-high 13 RBI. Charron had five RBI of his own, all coming in the first three games, and is now hitting .380, while Taylor had a two-homer weekend.

The Bearcats are set to continue their season-opening road stretch with a three-game series this weekend at Centenary College in Louisiana. The teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader beginning at noon on Saturday, and a 6:30 p.m. game on Sunday.