ORONO, Maine — Justin Leisenheimer’s two-run home run highlighted a three-run sixth inning Sunday afternoon as the University of Maine earned a 4-2 America East baseball victory over Albany at Mahaney Diamond.
The Black Bears and Great Danes split Saturday’s doubleheader, with UMaine winning the opener 9-5 before dropping the second game 12-5.
Coach Steve Trimper’s Black Bears (30-20, 13-7) have earned a spot in the upcoming America East tournament for the first time in three years. Albany (9-35, 8-11 AE) also have sewed up a postseason berth.
UMaine spotted the Great Danes a 2-0 lead Sunday, but erased the deficit in the sixth inning. Tyler Patzalek worked a two-out walk against loser Kasceim Graham (1-4), then rode home when Leisenheimer laced a low home run over the left-field fence to make it 2-2.
Matt Howard followed with a pop-fly single to shallow right-center, then freshman Pat Thibodeau of Caribou lined an opposite-field double to left-center, scoring the eventual winning run.
Howard singled twice to lead the Bears.
Ralph Keppler hit a two-run single in the sixth inning against winning pitcher A.J. Bazdanes (6-4), who allowed only two hits. Matt Jebb pitched three hitless innings of relief to earn his first save.