Albany, N.Y. - Junior center fielder Sean Paino (Wappinger Falls, N.Y./Roy C. Ketcham) registered three hits and scored twice, but the Le Moyne College baseball team fell to UAlbany, 8-6, on Tuesday afternoon at Varsity Field.

Le Moyne opened the scoring in the first inning with a run on one hit and an error. Senior shortstop Matt Nandin (North Syracuse, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) singled to center field with one out and moved to third on a passed ball and a throwing error by the catcher. Junior left fielder Chris Edmondson (Johnson City, N.Y./Johnson City) followed with a groundout to plate Nandin.

The Dolphins extended their lead to 3-0 with a pair of runs on two hits and an error in the top of the fifth inning. Junior first baseman Rich Brown (Vestal, N.Y./Vestal) opened the inning by drawing a walk and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Paino then reached on a bunt single down the first base line to push Brown to third. Brown came in to score as freshman designated hitter Dan Sisto (Liverpool, N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy) reached on a fielder's choice, while Paino moved to third on an error. Sophomore right fielder Don Schaaf (Middle Island, N.Y./Longwood HS) followed with a single to center to drive in Paino.

The Great Danes got the two runs back on three hits with two outs in the bottom half of the fifth. Pete Eichner and Gary Pitcheralle recorded back-to-back doubles to plate the first run. Sean Donovan then singled up the middle to drive in Pitcheralle.

UAlbany took a 4-3 lead with two runs on two hits and an error in the sixth. Dave West led off the inning with a single and moved to second as Jim Banks reached on a fielding error on a sacrifice bunt attempt. After a strikeout and a wild pitch, Mike Tirri singled to right field to knock in West and Banks, but was thrown out trying to get to second base.

The Dolphins regained the lead in the top of the seventh with three runs on four hits. Paino and Sisto led off the frame with consecutive singles. After a pop out, freshman second baseman Brett Botsford (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker) singled to center field to plate Paino from second. Following a UAlbany pitching change and a fly out, Edmondson tripled down the right field line to score Sisto and Botsford.

The Great Danes evened the score at six apiece in the bottom half of the inning. With one out, Donovan reached second base on a dropped fly ball to left field. Brendan Rowland followed with a single up the middle to push across Donovan. After a strikeout and a stolen base by Rowland, Rowland stole third base and scored on a throwing error by the catcher to tie the score.

UAlbany scored the go-ahead run and an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth without needing to put the ball in play. Banks walked and Kyle Crean was hit by a pitch to open the frame. After a sac bunt and an intentional walk to Eichner to load the bases, Pitcheralle was hit by a pitch to force in pinch-runner Pete DiResta. After a Le Moyne pitching change, Donovan drew a walk to knock in Crean with the game's final run.

Junior reliever Al Ondrako (Cortland, N.Y./Cortland) suffered the loss after yielding three runs (two earned) in one inning of action. Jeff Kaier, UAlbany's fifth of six pitchers in the contest, picked up the win by tossing one scoreless inning out of the bullpen. Alexander Beaulieu earned the save by retiring all three batters he faced.

Le Moyne (15-18) returns to action at home on Wednesday against Canisius at 4:00 p.m.