Just when it looked like it couldn’t get any worse for the Black Bears, Stony Brook’s baseball team managed to overwhelm Maine in both games of a doubleheader on Saturday. In the first match of the day, Stony Brook pummeled Maine 11-0, scoring all their runs within a three inning span. In the second game, a last ditch effort helped the Seawolves steal the 2-1 victory after four tied innings.
With their eighth consecutive loss, the Black Bears fall to 5-20 overall, while holding a bleak 0-5 mark within America East games. On the other hand, the home victories raise Stony Brook to 10-12 on the year, with a 3-1 tally inside of conference games.
In the first game, the Black Bears allowed the Seawolves to score 11 runs in the matter of three innings. For the Seawolves, third-year catcher David Real went up to bat four times, getting three hits and three runs. Though he only stepped up to the plate twice, second-year infielder Bobby Honeyman snagged two runs. At bat three times, third-year infielder Jeremy Giles grabbed two hits along with two runs. In total, Stony Brook managed to outhit Maine 10-8 in the contest.
Second-year pitcher Justin Courtney saw the majority of action for the Black Bears on the mound, earning the start and pitching six innings. During that time, he allowed four hits, four runs and forced seven strikeouts. Surprisingly, fourth-year pitcher Logan Fullmer, who received student-athlete of the week honors last weekend, did not see any action during the first game. For Stony Brook, fourth-year pitcher Chad Lee saw six innings of work, giving away four hits, no runs and forcing seven strikeouts.
After five scoreless innings for both teams, the Seawolves stole the show at the bottom of the sixth inning. It all started when Real hit a triple to right field. When Giles hit a single, Real capped off his trip to home plate, getting the first run of the game. A few plays later, second-year infielder Andruw Gazzola hit a single to center field, letting Giles score a run of his own. Near the end of the inning, fourth-year infielder Johnny Caputo hit a groundball past first base, allowing third-year outfielder Toby Handley to finish a run. At the end of the sixth inning, the Seawolves found themselves holding a 3-0 advantage.
Stony Brook refused to slow down as Honeyman opened the bottom of the seventh by snagging his first run of the day. This happened when all the bases were loaded and Handley forced a walk. Moments later, Real got his second run of the game on a wild pitch. On the throwing error, Gazzola stole second, allowing both Handley and Giles to make it home. Then, Caputo hit a sacrifice fly to center field, letting Gazzola get to home plate. After the seventh inning, the Seawolves held a commanding 8-0 lead.
At the bottom of the eighth, Stony Brook continued their assault. Real came out swinging, hitting a double down the right edge of the diamond, advancing Honeyman to get to third base. With a single up the middle from Giles, Real advanced to third base, while Honeyman made it home. Minutes later, Handley hit a sacrifice fly, which brought Real home for his third run of the game. With a single hit from Caputo, Gazzola found a way to score. With Gazzola’s run, the Seawolves took the 11-0 advantage.
At the top of the ninth, the Black Bears looked for a much needed score. With second-year infielder Caleb Kerbs on first base, first-year outfielder Colin Ridley on second and fourth-year catcher Kevin Stypulkowski on third, the Black Bears were in an optimal position to score. However, first-year infielder Jeremy Pena and first-year infielder Danny Casals both struck out, ending Maine’s closest chance of scoring.
Stony Brook snubs Maine late with 2-1 victory
In the second game of the Saturday doubleheader, Stony Brook stole the show by scoring in the final inning of regulation play, beating Maine 2-1. Though the Black Bears played much better in the second weekend contest, they failed to score any runs after the first inning and were helpless as the Seawolves broke the tie in the seventh.
For the Black Bears, Casals had a solid game. Casals had three at-bats, earning one hit and scoring a single run. For the Seawolves, third-year infielder Casey Baker grabbed one hit and one run. In three at-bats, Honeyman capitalized on his one hit to earn an RBI. By the end, the Seawolves managed to outhit the Black Bears 7-4 in the contest.
Fullmer got the start on the mound for Maine. Playing six innings, he gave up six hits and a run, while striking out five batters. Fourth-year pitcher Tyler Honahan earned the start for Stony Brook, playing four innings, while allowing only two hits and a run. He also managed to register three strikeouts.
Things appeared positive for the Black Bears early on. At the top of the first, Casals hit a triple towards the right side of the field. A couple batters later, third-year outfielder Tyler Schwanz hit a sacrifice fly, allowing Casals to score to give Maine their lone score of the contest. After the successful run, it was all downhill for Maine.
At the bottom of the first, the Seawolves had a chance to respond. Fourth-year outfielder Jack Parenty stood on second base, while Handley possessed third. However, the next Seawolves batter would strike out, leaving Stony Brook unable to capitalize on with runners in scoring position. The first inning ended with the Black Bears up by a score of 1-0.
At the bottom of the second inning, the Seawolves found an answer to the Black Bears’ initial score. It started when Baker opened the inning with a walk to first. First-year outfielder Dylan Resk laid a bunt, allowing Baker to make it to second. Moments later, Baker managed to steal third. With a ground ball from Honeyman, Casey bolted to home plate, finishing off the play. With the score, the Seawolves tied the game up 1-1.
The game remained tied until the bottom of the seventh inning. After starting six innings, Fullmer was pulled and replaced by second-year pitcher John Arel, a decision that very well could have sealed the fate of the Black Bears. Right off the bat, Honeyman capitalized on the new pitcher, hitting a single to center field. After a bunt from Caputo, Honeyman managed to make it to second base. After a wild pitch moments later, Honeyman found himself on third. Giles ended the game when he hit into a fielder’s choice, allowing Honeyman to score and end the contest.
