University of Maine
Albany (N.Y.)
Bats Come Alive as Baseball Sweeps Albany 19-6 and 8-3
5/7/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
ALBANY, N.Y.-- The University of Maine baseball team tallied a season-high 19 run in the first game and then completed the doubleheader sweep with an 8-3 victory in the second game on Saturday afternoon. Joey Martin (Portland, Maine) had five RBI in the first game, while rookie Alex Calbick (Burnaby, British Columbia) drove in five in the second game for the Black Bears. Keith Bilodeau (Bourne, Mass.) continued his impressive season and he moved to 7-2 on the season, earning the win in the first game.
The Black Bears extend their winning streak to six games and have now won nine of 10. Maine moves to 21-21 on the season with the win and 11-5 in America East play. Albany falls to 17-24 overall, 9-6 in conference play. The 19 runs for the Black Bears were the most since defeating Thomas 20-0 on April 7, 2010.
Maine picked up a 19-6 win in the first game. Albany jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Maine got a run back in the top of the second. Calbick singled down the right field line and scored when Fran Whitten (Westborough, Mass.) singled up the middle. Maine took the lead with two runs in the top of the third inning. Troy Black (Mississauga, Ontario) doubled down the left field line and Michael Fransoso (Portsmouth, N.H.) followed with a RBI double. Martin followed with a single up the middle and scored when Tyler Patzalek (Burlington, Ontario) double to center field.
Maine added five runs in the top of the fourth to extend its lead to 8-2. Justin Leisenheimer (Middle Village, N.Y.) led off the inning with a home run to left center. It was the third straight game that he had belted a home run. Black singled to shortstop and Taylor Lewis (Montville, Conn.) drew a walk. Fransoso singled to right field plating Black. Martin followed with a two-run double driving in Lewis and Fransoso. Martin scored when Patzalek reached on an error. Whitten doubled and scored on a Black sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth inning.
Maine then scored eight runs in the top of the sixth inning to extend the lead to 17-2. Fransoso led off the inning with a single to center field. Martin then homered to right field. Patzalek was hit and then was pinch run for by Colin Gay (Franklin, Mass.). Calbick followed with a triple sending home Gay. Calbick scored when Justin Leisenheimer singled through the left side. Mike Connolly (Middleborough, Mass.), who reached on a fielder's choice and Eric White (Brewer, Maine) who walked, both scored when Fransoso doubled down the right field line. Lewis, who had walked, scored on a wild pitch. Fransoso scored when Martin singled to center.
Albany countered with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. The Great Danes drew a pair of bases loaded walks and Josy Espinal scored the third run of the inning when Kyle Crean hit a sacrifice fly.
Maine scored in six straight inning with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh. Matt Verrier (Norway, Maine) reached on an error and scored when Justin Leisenheimer belted his second home run of the game.
Rob Cervini hit a home run in the bottom of the seventh to make it a 19-6 final.
Keith Bilodeau picked up his team-leading seventh win of the season as he went five innings and allowed two runs on five hits. He struck out four. He was replaced by Joe Miller (Valley Stream, N.Y.) who went a third of an inning. He allowed three runs on a pair of hits. D.J. Voisine (Plainville, Conn.) went the final 1.2 innings. He allowed one run on one hit.
Dave Kubiak got the start for Albany. He went four innings and allowed eight runs, seven of which were earned, on 12 hits. He was one of four pitchers in the game for the Great Danes.
Joey Martin led the Maine offense as he was 4-for-5 with three runs scored and five RBI. Michael Fransoso finished 4-for-5 with three runs scored and four RBI. Justin Leisenheimer was 3-for-5 with two runs scored and four RBI. He belted a pair of home runs in the game.
In the second game, Maine opened the scoring with three runs in the top of the first inning. Lewis led off the game with a triple to center field. Fransoso followed with a sacrifice fly scoring Lewis. Patzalek reached on an error and Calbick followed with a two-run home run to right field.
Maine extended its lead to 4-0 in the top of the second inning. Ian Leisenheimer (Middle Village, N.Y.) singled to center field and scored when Patzalek drew a bases loaded walk.
Albany got on the board with a run in the bottom of the second inning. Josh Nethaway was hit and scored when Jeff Welsh singled to center field.
Maine added three more runs in the top of the fourth inning. Martin reached on a bunt single and Patzalek drew a walk. Calbick followed with home run to right field.
Ian Leisenheimer singled to third base and scored when Black singled up the middle in the top of the seventh inning.
Albany made it an 8-3 final with two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Cervini walked and Welsh was hit. Cervini stole third and then scored on the throw. Welsh scored when Greg Muller drew a bases loaded walk.
Jeffrey Gibbs (Toronto, Ontario) went 6.1 innings on the mound. He allowed three runs on three hits while striking out a career-high 10. He improves to 5-4 on the season. He was replaced by A.J. Bazdanes (Nashua, N.H.) who went 2.2 innings. He scattered three hits while striking out a pair.
Kasceim Graham picks up the loss for Albany. He allowed seven runs, five of which were earned, on eight hits. He was replaced by Matt Dybus who went the final five innings.
Calbick led the Maine offense in the game. He was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and five RBI. Ian Leisenheimer went 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored. The two home run game was the first of his career.
Maine and Albany will wrap up their three-game America East weekend series with a single game on Sunday, May 8. First pitch is scheduled for 1 PM.
-U-M-
