ORONO, Maine - The Black Bears will take a short break from conference play as they play six non-conference games in the next six days, starting off with two double headers with the Manhattan College Jaspers, starting at 3pm on Friday and 12pm on Saturday.
Last Time Out
The Black Bears are coming off a 2-1 weekend in conference play, sweeping the double header with Hartford on Saturday with a 1-0 win and 3-2 win, but dropping the Sunday game by a score of 10-6. The Black Bears found themselves down by eight runs entering the bottom of the eighth, but after scoring three in the runs in that inning, the Black Bears were determined to climb back. A bases-loaded, two out situation saw Jeremy Pena at the plate as the tying run, but he was unable to put the ball in play as he flew out to end the game, and the Maine rally was quelled by the Hawks.
A Look at Maine
The Black Bears come into this matchup off a loss which ended their three-game winning streak. Their overall record this season is 9-16, and are now even in conference with a 3-3 record. Maine is led by Junior Catcher Chris Bec, who leads the team in hits with 34, RBI's with 10, and batting average at .358. Senior Outfielder Tyler Schwanz has hit two home runs so far this season, the most on the team; he has the second-highest average on the team with a .266, adding in nine RBIs. The Black Bears are looking to Justin Courtney and Jonah Normandeau on Friday, each having started seven games this season, while they look to Cody Laweryson making his first start in game one on Saturday, and John Arel who will make his second start of the season in game two.Â
Scouting the Jaspers
Manhattan College is coming off a two-game mid-week stint playing Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, beating Army West Point 8-6 and then hosting Albany on Wednesday, which the Great Danes took 16-5. The Jaspers have played 28 games and have an 8-20 record on the season, going 4-5 in MAAC play. They are led by Fabian Pena, who leads the team in batting average with .333 and has a team-high 36 hits. Evan Brown also boasts a .333 record, and also holds the team-high in home runs with three and RBIs with 14, along with Brendan Bissett. The Jaspers are looking to start a rotation of pitchers Tom Cosgrove and Nick Massa on day one, and Matt Simonetti and Joey Rocchetti on day two.
Justin Courtney Co-Pitcher of the Week
Maine Baseball's Justin Courtney was awarded America East Co-Pitcher of the Week honors from the conference on Tuesday morning after his performance in Maine's 1-0 victory over Hartford in game one of their Saturday doubleheader. Courtney was the starter for Maine, and lasted all the way until the final inning, throwing over 100 pitches, and allowing no earned runs in 8.0 innings of work. He allowed two hits and two walks, but struck out five on the afternoon, setting up Cody Laweryson for the win, as Maine walked off in the bottom of the ninth on a bases-loaded wild pitch.
