Baseball Drops Series Finale at Hartford 8-7

The University of Maine baseball team dropped the series finale to Hartford on Sunday, falling 8-7. Maine falls to 25-22 on the season and 11-7 in America East play. Hartford improves to 15-38 overall, 6-15 in conference play.

Hartford opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning. Simon Kudernatsch was hit and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. He scored when Andy Drexel singled up the middle.
 
Maine got on the board in the top of the third inning. Troy Black (Mississauga, Ontario) doubled and Michael Fransoso (Portsmouth, N.H.) followed with a single. Both runners scored when Colin Gay (Franklin, Mass.) singled to center field.

The Hawks countered with four runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 5-2 lead. Brendan Behm and Trey Stover drew back-to-back walks. Both runners advanced a base on a wild pitch. Behm scored when Brian Estevez grounded out. Kudernatsch singled scoring Stover. Andy Drexel followed with a two-run homer.

Maine got a run back in the top of the fourth inning. Alex Calbick (Burnaby, British Columbia) doubled and scored when Justin Leisenheimer (MiddleVillage, N.Y.) singled.

The Black Bears continued to chip away at the lead. Maine got a run in the top of the fifth when Tyler Patzalek (Burlington, Ontario) singled and scored when Ian Leisenheimer (Middle Village, N.Y.) drew a bases loaded walk.

The Black Bears tied the game in the top of the sixth inning. Black walked, stole second and scored on a Gay sacrifice fly.

Hartford grabbed the lead back in the bottom of the seventh inning when Andy Drexel hit a two run double to left center field.

Maine tied in the top of the ninth inning. Fransoso led off the inning with a walk, before Gay singled through the left side. Scott Heath (Westbrook, Maine) drew an intentional walk to load the bases. Calbick stoked a two-run single to right field to tie the game at 7-7.

The Hawks won the game in the bottom of the ninth inning. Brian Estevez singled to right field and Kudernatsch followed with a double. Andy Drexel drew an intentional walk. Estevez scored when Brian Hunter reached on a fielder's choice.

Jeffrey Gibbs (Toronto, Ontario) got the start and went 2.1 innings. He allowed five runs on three hits while striking out a pair. He was replaced by D.J. Voisine (Plainville, Conn.). Voisine went 4.2 innings and allowed two runs on three hits. Fran Whitten (Westborough, Mass.) pitched 1.1 innings. He allowed one run on one hit and picks up the loss. He falls to 2-3 on the season. Mike Connolly (Middleborough, Mass.) pitched a third of an inning.

Alex Gouin went four innings. He allowed three runs on seven hits. He was replaced by Zach Ferris. Ferris went four innings and allowed four runs on three hits. He was replaced by Austin Barnes who allowed one hit in one inning. He improves to 2-6 on the season.

Maine returns to action on Tuesday, May 15 when it hosts Boston College at Hadlock Field in Portland, Maine. Tickets can be purchased through the Portland Sea Dogs. You can also purchase through this link.