Sophomore Lance Hamilton hit a three-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to carry the University of Rochester to a 9-8 victory over The College at Brockport at UR's Towers Field on Tuesday evening.
Hamilton finished with a career-high five RBIs for the Yellowjackets (19-13). It was the sophomore's first career collegiate home run. It was UR's 15th win in its last 18 games. Brockport had a six-game winning streak snapped. The Golden Eagles are 19-11.
Dan Hurlimann hit solo home runs for Brockport in the third and fifth innings as Brockport built a 7-0 lead. Kyle Tracy also had a two run double in the second inning, helping build the Golden Eagle lead.
In the UR fifth, Brandon Heinrich and Josh Ludwig hit RBI singles and Hamilton added a two-run single to draw UR within 7-5. Heinrich's RBI single in the sixth cut the deficit to 7-6.
Anthony Barbetto hit a key two-out RBI triple to put Brockport up 8-6 in the eighth, adding a much needed insurance run, stopping the Yellowjackets' momentum. Barbetto finished 2-4 with two RBIs. Wesley Burghardt added three hits for Brockport.
In the UR ninth, Heinrich reached on a fielding error. After Sam Slutsky flied out and Ludwig struck out, Sam Steele blooped a single to right to get the tying run on base. Hamilton then clocked a 1-1 pitch off Bradley Westling over the left centerfield fence earning the win.
On the mound, UR starter Matt Todd went five innings, giving up seven hits, seven runs (4 earned) and three walks with two strikeouts. Andrew Crean picked up the win in relief, tossing four innings of four hit ball, with one run and one strikeout.
Rob Stankiewicz started for the Golden Eagles, tossing 4 2/3 innings, giving up seven hits, five runs (2 earned) and one walk while fanning six.
The Yellowjackets finish off the home portion of their schedule Thursday with a night game against D'Youville before ending its conference season this weekend with doubleheaders against Skidmore on Saturday and Sunday.
Rochester then ends the regular season traveling to Brockport to take on the Golden Eagles next Tuesday.