ALBANY, N.Y. (Interstat) — Conner Griffin pitched five hitless innings and Matt Bolton drove in three runs as Binghamton defeated Albany 12-2 on Friday afternoon at Varsity Field in an America East game. The Bearcats improved to 25-18 overall, while the Great Danes fell to 13-27.

Griffin struck out seven and did not allow a baserunner in his five innings of work. Bolton went 2-for-3 with a double and a sacrifice fly, scoring twice. Tommy Popoff hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning and Zachary Anderson added a solo home run in the second. Sean Sweeney drove in a run and scored twice. Jake Dally and Vincent Luther each threw scoreless relief.

Albany starter Ethan Nardacci allowed three earned runs on four hits over four innings, striking out three. Patrick DeSarno went 1-for-2 for the Great Danes, who scratched across two runs in the eighth on a walk, hit by pitch and a fielder’s choice.

Binghamton scored in the first, second, seventh and eighth innings, putting the game out of reach early. The teams meet again Saturday in the second game of the series.