OLD WESTBURY, New York — Justin Courtney of Bangor scattered eight hits Friday afternoon, leading the University of Maine baseball team to a 9-1 nonleague victory over the New York Institute of Technology at Lorenzo Field.
The freshman right-hander surrendered a first-inning home run to Louis Mele, then shut out the Bears over the last 8⅓ innings to go the distance. It was his longest outing of the season.
Courtney (3-5) struck out five and walked two while throwing 114 pitches, 73 for strikes as the Black Bears improved to 18-22 in the first of a four-game series.
Brian Doran stroked a two-run home run and two singles among 10 hits for UMaine. Scott Heath of Westbrook doubled and singled,while Brenden Geary knocked in three runs with a two-run homer and a grounder.
Jonathan Salcedo added a solo homer and Brett Chappell provided a run-scoring single for the Black Bears.
Robert Fiato and Thomas Joannou provided two singles each for New York Institute of Technology (12-24).
The hosts grabbed an early 1-0 lead, but UMaine went in front for good when Geary launched a two-run homer in the second against losing pitcher Chris Johnson (2-2), who was touched up for nine hits and eight runs (six earned) in six innings.
He allowed three home runs.
UMaine and NYIT are scheduled to play a noon doubleheader on Saturday and a noon single game on Sunday.