AUBURNDALE, Florida — Senior Sam Balzano of Portland collected four singles and scored three runs on Saturday to spark the University of Maine baseball team past Cornell 13-9 for the Black Bears’ third consecutive victory Saturday.
Shane Bussey singled three times with an RBI among 17 hits for UMaine (8-13), while Brenden Geary (RBI), Brett Chappell and Alex Cabrera posted two singles each. Luke Morrill of South Thomaston drove in three runs with a two-run single and a sacrifice fly and Kevin Stypulkowski had a two-run single.
Senior left-hander Scott Heath of Wesbrook (3-1) earned the win on the mound, allowing six hits and three runs with six strikeouts and three walks through five innings.
Dan Morris paced Cornell (2-7) with a double, a single and three RBIs. Kevin Tatum (2 doubles) and Jacob Weston (double, single) knocked in two runs each amidst the Big Red’s 13-hit attack.
Starter Michael Byrne (0-3) was touched up for 10 hits and 10 runs (4 earned) and walked two in only three innings.
UMaine opens America East Conference play with a three-game series Saturday and Sunday at the University of Hartford.
UMF sweeps Alfred State
At Frostproof, Florida, on Saturday, the University of Maine-Farmington swept Alfred State 14-8 and 9-8 in the RussMatt Invitational.
In the first game, Ethan Gouin hit a two-run double and Gray Beressi notched an RBI single to highlight UMF’s 10-run first inning. Beressi finished with three hits and five RBIs while Tom Grady and Jordan Croteau each drove in three runs.
UMF rallied from a four-run deficit in sixth inning of the second game with an RBI double by Grady and Beressi’s two-run triple.
Cullen Franz hit a solo homer to tie it for Alfred State, but UMF scored in the seventh when Nick Attaliades-Ryan raced home from third on a Cabannis bunt.
On Sunday, UMF swept Colby-Sawyer 12-5 and 13-2, improving to 4-0.
Dustin McCrossin sparked UMF with four singles and scored three runs while Ben Keene chipped in with three hits and three RBIs. Jimmie Neal added a double, two singles and three RBIs and Croteau drove in three runs to back winning pitcher Joe Sullivan, who scattered five hits and five runs over seven innings.
Nathan Frongillo singled twice for Colby-Sawyer (0-3).
In the second game, McCrossin doubled, singled and drove in three runs to lead the Beavers. Tom Grady added a single, double and RBI while Sean Cabaniss and Nick Cartmell each notched two hits.
Kyle Peterson recorded the win, allowing three hits and two runs while just walking one and striking out two.
Drew Inglesi doubled for Colby-Sawyer.