University of Maine
Hartford
Connolly Impressive, But Maine Falls to Hartford 1-0 in Series Finale
4/28/2013 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
ORONO, Maine – The University of Maine baseball team dropped the series finale to Hartford 1-0 on Sunday afternoon at Mahaney Diamond in Orono. Maine pitcher Mike Connolly (Bridgewater, Mass.) turned in another outstanding pitching performance for the Black Bears.
Maine falls to 25-17 on the season and 14-6 in America East play. Hartford improves to 14-27 overall, 11-10 in conference action.
It was a classic pitchers' duel from the start. The game, which took just 1:41, went into the eighth inning scoreless. Each team had recorded just one hit after seven innings of play.
Maine threatened in the bottom of the seventh inning. Michael Fransoso (Portsmouth, N.H.) led off the inning with a double to center field. He advanced to third on an error. He was thrown out a home when Eric White (Brewer, Maine) reached on a fielder's choice.
Hartford's James Alfonso homered to left field with one out in the top of the eighth inning to break the deadlock.
Maine threatened with a pair of hits in the ninth inning, but was not able to knot the score.
Connolly was impressive on the mound, throwing nine innings for the second consecutive start. He allowed one run on just three hits while striking out five. He falls to 4-3 on the season, but lowered his ERA to a team-best 1.66.
Sean Newcomb pitched a complete game for the Hawks. He allowed three hits in the game. He picks up the win and improves to 4-3 on the season.
Maine returns to action when it hosts UMaine Presque Isle on Tuesday, April 28 at 5 PM.
