University of Maine
Stony Brook
Fransoso, Calbick and Gibbs Lead Maine to America East Championship Game
5/26/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
STONY BROOK, N.Y. - - Michael Fransoso (Portsmouth, N.H.) belted a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning and Alex Calbick (Burnaby, British Columbia) a grand slam in the eighth and University of Maine pitchers scattered just one hit to lead the Black Bear baseball team past Stony Brook 8-1 in the winner's bracket game of the 2011 America East Tournament. Maine improves to 31-22 on the season, while Stony Brook falls to 42-11. The Black Bears advance to the America East Championship game which will be played on Friday, May 27 at 3 PM.
Maine took a 1-0 lead on the top-ranked Seawolves in the bottom of the second inning. With one out, Justin Leisenheimer (Middle Village, N.Y.) double to deep right center field. Alex Calbick then doubled off the left field fence, scoring Leisenheimer from second base.
The Black Bears added to their lead in the bottom of the third inning. Taylor Lewis (Montville, Conn.) reached on a fielder's choice and then stole his 20th base of the season. He scored when Michael Fransoso singled to center field.
Stony Brook got on the board in the top of the fifth inning. Travis Jankowski drew a walk and then reached second on a error. He stole third base and scored on an error. Stony Brook loaded the bases with just one out, but Maine induced a double play and the game remained 2-1 after four and a half innings.
Maine extended its lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Lewis singled to right field and Fransoso followed with a home run over the right field fence. For Fransoso it was the fifth home run of the season for Fransoso.
Maine iced the game in the bottom of the eighth inning when Calbick belted a grand slam! Fransoso doubled, Joey Martin (Portland, Maine) drew a walk and Justin Leisenheimer was hit to load the bases. Calbick then belted a home run over the right field fence, giving Maine an 8-1 lead.
Fransoso led the Maine offense with three hits. He had three RBI and scored two runs. Calbick had a pair of hits and five RBI.
Jeffrey Gibbs (Toronto, Ontario) went six innings on the mound. He allowed one run on one hit while striking out four Stony Brook batters. He improve to 7-5 on the season. Gibbs was replaced by Shaun Coughlin (Northfield, Conn.). Coughlin pitched the final three innings and did not allow a hit.
Tyler Johnson went 7.2 innings on the mound. He allowed seven runs on seven hits while striking out six. He falls to 9-3 on the season. He was replaced by Josh Barry who allowed one run on one hit.
Maine will face the winner of the Stony Brook vs. Albany game which will be played at 11 AM on Friday morning. First pitch is scheduled for 3 PM on Friday afternoon. If Maine wins that game, the Black Bears win the 2011 America East Championship.
