NEW YORK (Interstat) — In a marathon pitchers’ duel that stretched deep into the evening, the Saint John’s Red Storm finally broke through in the bottom of the 15th inning to edge the Albany Great Danes 2-1 on Friday at Jack Kaiser Stadium.

The game, which began in the afternoon and concluded under the lights, saw both teams squander numerous scoring opportunities over 14 innings before a decisive fielder’s choice ended it. The win improved Saint John’s to 2-10 on the season, while Albany remained winless at 0-8.

The contest was defined by exceptional pitching, particularly from Saint John’s starter Liam O’Leary. The right-hander delivered seven strong innings, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out eight. His performance set the tone, keeping Albany’s offense in check after the Great Danes scratched across a single run in the seventh inning. That run came when Patrick DeSarno singled, stole second, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on John Vitucci’s RBI single.

Albany’s pitching was equally formidable for much of the game. Starter Dylan Banner was brilliant over 6 1/3 innings, yielding no earned runs on five hits and striking out six. He was relieved by Matthew Mariano, who was nearly untouchable, firing 7 2/3 innings of scoreless, hitless relief with five strikeouts.

Saint John’s tied the game at 1-1 in the fifth inning without the benefit of a clean hit. Ayden Frey reached on an error, advanced to third on a flyout and scored on Rob Mansour’s RBI single.

The game then settled into a tense stalemate, with both teams stranding runners in scoring position. Albany left the potential go-ahead run at third base in the 11th and 15th innings. Saint John’s loaded the bases with one out in the 13th but could not score.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 15th. After Mariano was lifted following 122 pitches, Albany reliever Zach Nalawadi entered. Dylan Fitzsimmons led off with a single and Will Cowan walked. Jayder Raifstanger then hit a grounder to second, resulting in a forceout at second, but moving Fitzsimmons to third. Pinch-hitter Sean Britt followed with a sharp grounder to shortstop. Albany’s Levi McAllister fielded it and threw to second for one out, but the return throw to first was not in time, allowing Fitzsimmons to cross the plate with the winning run.

The most important sequence of the game was this final, chaotic play. With the bases loaded and one out in the 15th, Albany had a chance for an inning-ending double play. While they got the force at second, they could not complete the twin killing, and the deciding run scored on the fielder’s choice grounder by Britt, ending the 4-hour, 15-minute contest.

Michael Maggio led Albany with three hits, including a double. Vitucci had two hits and the lone RBI for the Great Danes. Saint John’s managed 11 hits, with Mansour driving in their first run.

The teams are scheduled to continue their series on Saturday.