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Baseball Falls in Doubleheader Against Albany
ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine baseball team dropped a doubleheader to Albany on Saturday afternoon at a cold and windy Mahaney Diamond. The Black Bears fell in the first game 4-2 and were defeated 1-0 in 10 innings in the second game. Maine sees it record move to 21-19 on the season and 7-4 in America East Conference play. Albany improves to 14-26-1 overall and 8-5 in conference play.
In the first game, Albany took a 3-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning. Joey Tracy walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice by Jeff Welsh. Gordon Madej drew a walk to put a pair of runners on base. Nolan Gaige then singled off the glove of Maine first baseman Justin Leisenheimer (Middle Village, N.Y.) to drive home Tracy. D.J. Hoagboon tripled to right field plating Madej and Gaige, giving the Great Danes a 3-0 lead.
Maine countered in the bottom of the frame with a pair of runs. Sam Balzano (Portland, Maine) and Troy Black (Mississauga, Ontario) drew back-to-back walks. Michael Fransoso (Portsmouth, N.H.) followed with a double to left field scoring Balzano. Black scored when Colin Gay (Franklin, Mass.) reached on a fielder's choice.
Albany tacked on a run in the top of the seventh inning when Craig Lepre walked and scored on a sacrifice fly by Pete DiResta.
Stephen Perakslis (Abington, Mass.) went six innings for the Black Bears. He allowed four runs on five hits while striking out five. His record evens to 4-4 on the season. Mike Connolly (Middleborough, Mass.) pitched the seventh inning.
Zach Kraham went the complete game for Albany. He allowed two runs on three hits while striking out four. He improves to 3-5 on the season.
In the second game was a pitcher's duel from the start. It took until the top of the 10th to break the 0-0 deadlock. Brian Bullard singled to right center field and scored when Lepre tripled to the right field corner. It was the lone run of the game.
Tyler Patzalek (Burlington, Ontario) had a pair of hits for the Black Bears in the game.
Both starting pitchers were impressive. Shaun Coughlin (Northford, Conn.) went eight innings and allowed just three hits. Connolly, who pitched the final two innings, replaced him. He allowed one run on a pair of hits while striking out two. He falls to 3-4 on the season.
Sean Lucas also went eight innings for Albany. He allowed eight hits while striking out six. Greg Lutton pitched the final two innings for the Great Danes. He allowed just one hit and improves to 2-3 on the season.
The two teams return to action on Sunday, April 29, 2012 for a single game starting at 1 PM.
-U-M-
