CHESTNUT HILL, Massachusetts - The Black Bears got out to a late lead after coming from behind against the Eagles, but Boston College was able to tally six runs in the bottom of the eighth to take the game 9-8.
Chris Murphy got the start for Maine, he lasted 4.0 innings, allowing no hits but walking six with three runs. He was relieved by John Arel, who started out strong retiring five straight batters, allowing Maine to take lead in the middle innings.
Maine got an early lead from Hernen Sardinas in the top of the first inning as he grounded out to shortstop, allowing Tyler Schwanz to score the first run of the game, 1-0 Maine. BC tallied three in the bottom of the inning to lead 3-1.
Maine slowly chipped away at the BC lead, first with Jeremy Pena crushing one over the left-center fence to cut the lead to on run. In the sixth, Maine would take the lead on a three-run inning, first with Brandon Vicens who hit his own solo shot to left-center, and Pena singling up the middle to score Sardinas and Cody Pasic. Maine would lead 5-3 after six innings.
In the eighth, Maine would add insurance as Caleb Kerbs hit an RBI single that scored Pasic, and Lou Della Fera singled up the middle to score Pasic. Maine led 8-3 going into the bottom of the eighth.
Boston College rallied back in the bottom of the eighth inning, scoring six runs on five hits. John Arel's day was done and Connor Johnson would come in with a tie game. Johnson would pitch 0.2 of an inning, allowing two hits and an earned run, walking two. The one run ended up being the decisive one, as BC took the lead 9-8 going into the final frame.
With a lead-off double from Tyler Schwanz, the Black Bears look poised to tie the game with a runner in scoring position and no outs. BC pitching had other plans, as they forced a fly out, a pop out, and a swinging strikeout to end the game with the tying run left on base. Johnson's record is now 3-4 on the season.
The Black Bears return home for one final weekend of action as they host Albany in a weekend series, Friday and Saturday at 1pm, before they head to Lowell, MA for the America East Tournament.
-UMaine-
