University of Maine
Binghamton
Bilodeau Gem Leads Maine Past Binghamton in America East Tournament
5/25/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
STONY BROOK, N.Y. - - Keith Bilodeau (Bourne, Mass.) picked up his 10th win of the season and led the University of Maine baseball team to a 4-3 victory over Binghamtonin the first round of the 2011 America East Tournament on Wednesday afternoon. He allowed just seven hits, retired 16 straight batters at one point and sent down all nine lead-off hitters. Maine improves to 30-22 on the season, while Binghamton falls to 21-27.
Binghamton took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Bill Bereszniewicz singled to deep second base. He moved to second when CJ Lukaszewski grounded out and to third on a passed ball. He scored when Dave Ciocchi singled up the middle.
Maine took the lead in the bottom of the third inning with a rally by the bottom of the lineup. Ian Leisenheimer (Middle Village, N.Y.) drew a walk to lead off the inning. Colin Gay (Franklin, Mass.) had a hit to center field, moving Leisenheimer to third base. Troy Black (Mississauga, Ontario) singled to center field, scoring Leisenheimer from third base. Gay scored when Michael Fransoso (Portsmouth, N.H.) hit a sacrifice fly to center field.
Binghamton answered right back. Corey Taylor singled to center field. Jeff Skelhorne-Gross followed with a single through the left side moving Taylor to third base. Taylor tied the game on a balk.
Maine took the lead back in the bottom of the sixth inning. Michael Fransoso led off the inning with a single to right field. He moved to second on a Joey Martin (Portland, Maine) sacrifice bunt. Tyler Patzalek (Burlington, Ontario) then singled to center field, scoring Fransoso from second base.
Maine added a run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Taylor Lewis (Montville, Conn.) led off the inning with a triple to right center field. The triple was his 20th career triple, which set the school record for career triples, breaking the mark of 19 by Curt Smith (2005-2008). Lewis scored when Joey Martin hit a sacrifice fly.
Binghamton threatened in the top of the ninth inning with a run. Corey Taylor walked and scored when Jordon Smucker singled pulling the Bearcats to within one run at 4-3. With two on and two outs. Daniel Navarez drilled a pitch off Bilodeau, but Patzalek was able to pick up the ball and throw him out at first base to end the game.
Bilodeau was outstanding for the Black Bears. He allowed three runs, two of which were earned, on seven hits. He struck out six batters while walking just one. He improves to 10-2 on the season. It was the fifth complete game of the season for Bilodeau.
James Giulietti went eight innings for Binghamton. He allowed four runs on six hits while striking out six. He falls to 5-6 on the season.
Maine will face the winner of the Stony Brook vs. Albany game on Thursday, May 26 at 3 PM at Joe Nathan Field in Stony Brook, N.Y.
-U-M
