NEW LONDON, New Hampshire — The University of Maine-Farmington kept its playoff hopes alive Monday when Jimmy Neal pitched a three-hitter to give the Beavers a 7-1 win over Colby-Sawyer in the second game of a North Atlantic Conference baseball doubleheader.
UMF will learn its playoff fate on Tuesday when Lyndon State plays at Colby-Sawyer in a doubleheader. A Lyndon sweep eliminates UMF, but if Colby-Sawyer can win one game then UMF claims the final playoff berth.
In Monday’s second game, Neal didn’t allow an earned run, struck out four and walked just one to lead the Beavers. Dustin McCrossin singled twice and drove in two runs to back up Neal while Ethan Gouin added a two-run double. Jordan Croteau chipped in with a double, two singles and an RBI.
In the second game, Colby-Sawyer’s Mike Bowse held the Beavers to five hits, walked only one and struck out two to earn the win for Colby-Sawyer (4-30, 2-20 NAC). Chris Hood doubled twice and drove in two runs.
Croteau notched an RBI single for UMF (17-17, 10-14) and Tom Grady tripled.
College Hockey
USM names Harding men’s ice hockey coach
Ed Harding has been named the University of Southern Maine’s men’s ice hockey head coach following a national search, USM Director of Athletics Al Bean announced Monday.
Harding served as the Huskies’ interim head coach for the final two months of the 2014-15 season compiling a 5-10-1 record. Harding is a former USM player (1985-88) and assistant coach (1993-96).
“I’m honored, and feel fortunate, to be selected to move the men’s ice hockey program into a new era,” Harding said in a news release.
Harding replaces Jeff Beaney, who resigned on Dec. 31 after 28 years leading the team.
A 2010 graduate of USM, Harding was head coach at North Yarmouth Academy (2010-11). Prior to his time at NYA, Harding had a six-year run with the Lewiston Maineiacs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He began his association with the Maineiacs as an assistant coach for two seasons (2003-05) before moving into the dual role of assistant general manager/assistant coach for the next two seasons (2005-07).
Harding served as the Maineiacs head coach and general manager for two years (2007-09).