BALTIMORE – Visting UAlbany (10-5) scratched out a pair of unearned runs and nipped UMBC, 2-1, in the America East opener for both squads in unseasonably warm conditions at Alumni Stadium.

Retriever pitching was outstanding as sophomore starter Luke Johnson (Lewes, Del.) and freshman reliever Evan Selmer (Beltsville, Md.) combined to permit only seven hits and two walks, while fanning seven Great Danes.

Sophomore first baseman Luke Trythall (Poolesville, Md.) collected three of UMBC's (7-10) six base hits as the hosts stranded eight men, including four in scoring position.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Johnson set down the first nine UAlbany batters, including three via the strikeout route.
• The Retrievers put two runners on base in each of the first two innings and Myles Nicholson (Hagerstown, Md.) led off the third with a double, but all five runners were stranded.
• The Great Danes opened the scoring in the sixth on a one-out sacrifice fly to left field.
• UMBC knotted the score at 1-all in the seventh, as Drew Roberts' (Matthews, N.C.) one-out bloop hit to right-center scored pinch-runner Jayden Shertel (Mays Landing, N.J.). With two down and both Trythrall and Roberts running on contact, Nicholson's line drive to the left-center alley was caught.
• UAlbany got the game-winner in the eighth. With Great Dane runners on first and second and one away, the Retrievers tried to turn a 3-6-1 double play, but Roberts' throw could not be handled at first and the runner from second base came around to score.

Johnson pitched the first six innings, allowing three hits and fanning four, while Selmer threw the final three, permitting four safeties and striking out three.  

The two teams resume the series on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.