After coming off a tough loss against Husson University, the University of Maine baseball team faced the New Jersey Institute of Technology Highlanders in a weekend series.
On March 28, the first game of the series, Maine opened the first inning with a three-run home run by third-year infielder Drew Reynolds to bring third-year infielder Chris Bear and third-year outfielder Brody Rasmussen home. The Black Bears led with three runs right off the start, with the Highlanders not scoring any runs in the first inning.
In the second inning, the Highlanders entered the scoring column. Fifth-year outfielder Andrew Eppinger nailed a home run, ending the inning with 3-1.
Fourth-year infielder Myles Sargent hit a grand slam at the top of the third inning. First-year catcher Aidan Bardi, fifth-year utility player Payton Whitehead and Reynolds all scored, extending Maine’s lead to 7-1. The Highlanders did not make it on base during their at bat.
In the fourth inning, the Black Bears had no runs. Eppinger got another homer for the Highlanders, making the score 7-2. The fifth inning was similar to the fourth inning. The Black Bears did not score any runs, while the Highlanders got one, scored by fourth-year infielder Jaden Caballero.
In the sixth inning, the Black Bears were back on the mission, and Sargent scored another run. The inning was flipped from the previous innings, as the Highlanders had no runs scored.
The seventh inning went just as the eighth did. Sargent hit a double, resulting in a run by Reynolds, as well as first-year utility player Jack Quigley. The Black Bears were building a strong lead.
Sargent led the ninth inning with a single. Bardi and Quigley both scored off the play. Maine won the first game of the series 12-4. Sargent contributed to 7 out of the 12 runs, and pitcher third-year Colin Fitzgerald had a night to himself for the first time in his career.
On March 29, the Black Bears looked to continue the winning streak for the series. In the first inning, Maine was scoreless. The Highlanders earned the first run of the game, made by third-year infielder Ty Sallie.
The second inning went by with no change, and the Highlanders still led with one run. In the third inning, fifth-year first-basemen Mattie Thomas scored a run both on wild pitches. The fourth inning went by with neither team scoring. The Highlanders still maintained the lead 2-0.
In the fifth inning, Bear hit a double and rallied in an RBI, with Sargent getting home, marking Maine’s first run of the game. Bear then scored, tying the game off a hit from third-year catcher Dean O’Neil. A base hit from Whitehead scored two more runs. The Black Bears were finally leading the game. Whitehead scored off a hit from first-year infielder Evan Menzel. Maine now led 5-2.
In the sixth and seventh innings, the Black Bears found their game. No runs were scored by either team. In the eighth inning, the Black Bears did not score any runs. Third-year catcher Cole Campbell scored a run for the Highlanders, but Maine still remained in the ;ead.
The Highlanders failed to score at all in the ninth inning. The Black Bears won 7-3. Third-year pitcher Caleb Leys had his best start of the season, striking out 12 batters to lead the Black Bears to the second straight win.
The Black Bears will close out the series on March 30, taking on Merrimack College in Massachusetts.
