Orono, ME - The University of Maine baseball team claimed their first conference title since 2011 with a victory in the America East Championship over #3 Binghamton, 6-1.

First Inning: Jake Rainess got the Black Bears out to an early 1-0 lead as he hit a solo home run to left field, his 16th home run of the season.

Second Inning: Ryan Turenne made it 2-0 Black Bears as he hit an RBI single to right field, scoring Nick White (2B).

Third Inning: Jeremiah Jenkins kept the bats going as he hit a solo home run to right field, his 20th long ball of the season.

Fourth Inning: Jake Marquez made it four-straight innings of runs scoring for the Black Bears as he was first-pitch swinging and he hit a two-run home run to left field. Ryan Turenne (FC) scored on Marquez's first home run of the season.

Seventh Inning: Quinn McDaniel capped off the Black Bear scoring on the afternoon as he hit a solo home run to left field. The home run was his 16th of the season.

Ninth Inning: Justin Baeyens was called on to begin the ninth inning, spelling the end of a masterful performance by Gianni Gambardella. Gambardella went 8-shutout innings, allowing just 3 hits, 2 walks and striking out 2 batters. He was named the MVP of the Tournament for his performance.

Binghamton scored one run in the bottom of the ninth on a solo home run by Kevin Gsell before Baeyens closed out the game.

Maine came away with the victory, 6-1.

Gianni Gambardella (6-3) came away with the victory for Maine. He was named the America East MVP of the Tournament.

Jeremiah Jenkins, Nick White and Caleb Leys were all named to the All-Tournament Team.

Justin Rosner (1-3) took the loss for Binghamton.

Maine will advance to the NCAA Regionals for the first time since 2011. The selection show is at Noon on Monday, May 29.

-UMaine-