Box Score Sarasota, FL – The University of Maine baseball team picked up the series victory over the Pittsburgh Panthers on Sunday afternoon as they took game three of the weekend, 8-5.
 
First Inning: For the first time on the weekend, Pitt scored first in a contest as Tommy Tavarez drew a bases loaded walk. AJ Nessler added a second run on an RBI groundout.
 
Third Inning: The Black Bears got their first runs of the game on one swing of the bat as Connor Goodman hit a no-doubt three-run home run to left field, driving home Jake Rainess (2B\SB) and Quinn McDaniel (HBP\SB) on the play.
 
The Panthers tied the contest up in the bottom of the frame as AJ Nessler hit a sac fly.
 
Fifth Inning: Following a hard-hit single to left field by Quinn McDaniel the Panthers dipped into their bullpen, spelling the end of the day for Erubiel Candelario. Candelario went 4 and 1/3 innings on the mound, allowing 3 earned runs on 5 hits, two walks and striking out 5. Zach Oswald was called on in relief.
 
The Black Bears retook the lead during the fifth frame as Connor Goodman hit into an RBI fielder's choice, scoring Quinn McDaniel (1B) on the play.
 
The Black Bears loaded the bases up in the fifth frame of action, forcing Pitt to make their second pitching change on the inning, calling on Matthew Fernandez. Oswald's day came to an end after just 1/3 of an inning, allowing 1 hit, 2 walks and 2 wild pitches.
 
Noah Martinez tied the contest up at 4-4 in the bottom of the frame as he hit a solo home run to left field.
 
Sixth Inning: Connor Goodman kept adding onto his RBI total for the day as he drove in his fifth and sixth runs of the day as he hit a single to the left side of the infield, bringing home Dylan McNary (BB) and Jake Rainess (2B).
 
Gianni Gambardella took the mound to begin the sixth inning for the Black Bears, bringing an end to the day of Noah Lewis. Lewis went 5 complete frames, allowing 4 runs (3 earned) on 2 hits, 6 walks and striking out 4.
 
Eighth Inning: Brady Devereux began the eighth inning on the mound for Pitt, bringing an end to the day for Matthew Fernandez. Fernandez went 2 and 1/3 innings on the mound, allowing 2 earned runs on 2 hits, 1 walk and striking out 6.
 
Pitt scored one run in the bottom of the frame as Dom Popa singled to left field.
 
Ninth Inning: Nick White came off the bench for the Black Bears in the top of the frame and delivered a two-run pinch hit single to left field, scoring Jeremiah Jenkins (1B) and Jeff Mejia (FC).
 
The Black Bears turned the ball over to Ryan Scott for the save opportunity in the bottom of the ninth as Gianni Gambardella's day in relief came to an end. Gambardella went 3 innings in relief, allowing 1 earned run on 4 hits, no walks and striking out 4 in his collegiate debut.
 
Gianni Gambardella (1-0) picked up his first collegiate victory in his first collegiate appearance in relief.
 
Matthew Fernandez (0-1) picked up the loss in relief.
 
Ryan Scott picked up his first save of the season as he pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing no hits, 2 walks and striking out 2.
 
Maine (2-1) is back in action on Feb. 24 as they are set to take place in the Penn State Tournament in Cary, NC. Maine will compete in four games in the tournament.
 
-UMaine-