Spring came for just a day last week, but that was enough for the University of Maine baseball team to play their season opener, a double-header Friday afternoon against Stony Brook University. The Black Bears dropped both games, the first one 3-1 and the second 8-5 in thirteen innings.
UMaine fell to 1-3 in conference play, while the Seawolves improved their America East-best mark to 6-2.
UMaine falls in extras
Friday’s first game was a slugfest that saw a combined 36 hits between the two teams. The Seawolves outlasted the Black Bears thanks to three runs in the thirteenth inning.
The game was scoreless until the bottom of the second when third-year catcher Kevin Stypulkowski and third-year first baseman Brendan Geary both scored on singles for an early 2-0 advantage.
The Black Bears scored again when fourth-year pitcher and infielder Scott Heath doubled to left field and was advanced on a fielder’s choice, eventually scoring on a sacrifice fly that was hit by fourth-year outfielder Brian Doran to extend the UMaine lead to three.
The Seawolves got on the board in the top of the fifth after an odd sequence. First-year infielder Andruw Gazzola reached first singled to left field and advanced on a wild pitch and then a balk. Gazzola scored on a fielder’s choice to put the Seawolves on the board.
Maine would add a run in the sixth, but knotted things up with three runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Gazzola scored on an error by Stypulski. Two batters later first-year infielder Bobby Honeyman scored unearned on a a single by second-year Jeremy Giles.
Stony Brook tied the game in the next inning when the Seawolves rattled off three straight singles. Second-year infielder Toby Handley scored on a sacrifice bunt, sending the game into extra innings.
Each team scored in the 12th inning, setting the stage for a three-run 13th inning from Stony Brook. They jumped on third-year pitcher Charlie Butler. Honeyman singled to right field and was advanced to second on a Peragine walk. Handey singled him in before third-year outfielder Jeff Parenty doubled in two more for the three-run advantage.
Butler got the loss for the Black Bears, giving up three runs in one inning of work. First-year starter Justin Courtney pitched well, going 6.2 innings and giving up one earned run.
The win went to first-year Teddy Rodliff, who gave up one run in five innings of relief.
Black Bears drop tight contest
The Black Bears scored in the first inning of the first game, but were held in check for the rest of the contest. First-year Stony Brook starter Kevin Kernan gave up the early one but settled down, throwing four strong innings in which he struck out two and gave up four hits.
Fourth-year outfielder Sam Balzano singled to lead off the game for the Black Bears, increasing his batting average to .345 on the year.
Third-year infielder Shane Bussey advanced him to third on a bloop single to left field and Balzano scored on a sacrifice fly from fourth-year pitcher Scott Heath for the Black Bears’ lone run.
The Seawolves jumped on Heath early, posting a run in the top of the second. Fourth-year infielder Robert Chavarria opened the inning with a double and advanced to third on an error by Bussey. Third-year third baseman Johnny Caputo knocked him in with a single up the middle, tying things at one run apiece.
Stony Brook scored again in the fourth by using some small ball. Chavarria walked to lead things off and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt. He scored his second run of the game on a single by first-year Malcolm Nachmanoff for a 2-1 Seawolves advantage.
The Seawolves tacked on an insurance run in the top of the ninth. Fourth-year infielder Cole Pelagrine singled to right field and was scored when second-year outfielder Toby Handley ripped a triple to right, ensuring Stony Brook a 3-1 victory.
Heath pitched a solid game, throwing seven innings and giving up three runs and striking out four batters. Kernan got the win for the Seawolves, while second-year pitcher Cameron Stone picked up his first save of the year, throwing three scoreless innings of work.
The Black Bears will take the field again when they host Thomas College Tuesday at 5 p.m.