DELRAY BEACH, Florida - For the second time ever, Maine Baseball saw an 18-inning game, and for the second time ever, Maine won that 18-inning game by a final score of 5-4. It's Maine's second win in a row, putting them to an overall record of 5-4.
Maine started
Jonah Normandeau on the mound as he went 5.1 innings, allowing six hits, three earned runs, and three walks while striking out four. He left the game in the sixth inning in the middle of a St. Bonaventure rally that saw the Bonnies tie the game up.
St. Bonaventure struck first in this one, as an RBI double in the bottom of the first put them up 1-0.
In the second,
Hernen Sardinas hit an RBI single to right field, scoring Chris Bec and advancing
Brandon Vicens to third base, tying the game up at 1-1. A passed-ball would then allow Vicens to score on the play to take the lead, 2-1.
In the top of the fourth, a bases-loaded walk scored
Hernen Sardinas from third to extend Maine's lead to 3-1.
In the bottom of the fifth and sixth St. Bonaventure notched a run, tying the game up in the bottom of the sixth, 3-3.
Cody Laweryson would come into the game in relief. He ended the day going 4.2 innings, allowing only three hits, no runs, one walk, and striking out five.
The game would remain 3-3 through nine innings, and up through extra innings. Maine saw
Connor Johnson come into the game in the bottom of the 11th. He had an impressive afternoon in relief as the afternoon became evening, going 4.0 innings, no hits or runs, two walks, and five strikeouts.
Maine would break the tie in the top of the 15th inning as
Caleb Kerbs would hit an RBI single, scoring
Brandon Vicens from first base, giving Maine the lead 4-3 going into the bottom of the 15th. However,
Jeff Gelinas, who came in to pitch, allowed a single to the leadoff batter, who would then steal second, steal third, and then score the game-tying run on a passed ball, sending the game to the 16th tied 4-4.
Matthew Pushard entered the game for Maine to begin the bottom of the 16th. Pushard would eventually be credited with the win, going 3.0 innings, allowing only three hits.
In the top of the 18th,
Lou Della Fera hit a leadoff single and stole second base, as
Tyler Schwanz came up to bat and hit an RBI double to score Della Fera, giving Maine the 5-4 lead. St. Bonaventure had a chance in the bottom of the 18th with a runner on third and one out, but the squeeze attempt backfired as the runner was tagged out at home and Maine held on for the final score of 5-4.
It was the longest game since 1983, when Maine defeated Providence by a score of 5-4, also in 18 innings.
The two teams were set to square off Monday morning at 10am, but due to lack of rested pitching staff, will take the day off. They will face off again for the third time on Tuesday at 12pm.
-UMaine-
