ORONO, Maine — Saturday was a busy and emotional day for the seniors on the University of Maine baseball team.
The six young men started their day by participating in the commencement ceremony at Alfond Arena. Then it was across the parking lot to Mahaney Diamond, where they played their final home game.
The Black Bears made sure the celebrating continued, riding the pitching of senior Jacob Gosselin-Deschesnes to a 9-0 America East victory over Binghamton University.
Gosselin-Deschesnes, who earned a degree in business management, was in control throughout. He spaced eight hits, striking out three and walking four through 8⅔ innings to wrap up the critical sweep.
“It was a big day for me, my parents were up, my family was up,” said the transfer from Montreal. “It was a great day to be out there on Senior Day and get a win and get a sweep against Binghamton.
Junior catcher Kevin Stypulkowski belted his first two home runs of the season to spearhead the offense.
Coach Steve Trimper’s team (22-24, 8-9 AE) moved into third place among America East’s postseason-eligible teams. Four qualify for the double-elimination tournament that begins on May 21.
Binghamton (17-22-1, 6-14 AE) remains in last place in the standings.
“Our goal going into the weekend was to win this series and the next series,” Trimper said. “A sweep is a little bonus.”
The Black Bears travel to Albany (13-25, 6-10 AE) for a three-game series starting next Friday that will determine whether they play in the conference tournament.
“Coming into this weekend, we knew our backs were against the wall and we had to come away with W’s,” said senior Scott Heath of Westbrook. “The team responded real well.”
Gosselin-Deschesnes (3-2) handled the Bearcats, who had posted 22 hits on Friday. He featured a fastball, slider and cut fastball but tired in the ninth (128 pitches).
Charlie Butler came on with the bases loaded to record the final out.
“I just went out there and tried to throw strikes, (do) what I’m capable of and let my defense work behind me,” said Gosselin-Deschesnes, who induced 15 outs via fly balls or popups.
He also worked briskly, which helped him maintain the rhythm he sought while keeping his teammates focused.
“It really keeps hitters off balance and it keeps the defense on their toes because they’re not getting bored out there,” Stypulkowski said.
Before the game, UMaine’s six seniors were recognized for their contributions to the program.
The group includes infielder Luke Morrill of South Thomaston, outfielders Heath, Sam Balzano of Portland, Brian Doran and Steven Adam, and Gosselin-Deschesnes.
“They’re blue collar. These guys have worked their butts off and they’ve been a great group of leaders,” said junior Brenden Geary.
“These guys have been so classy, so professional,” Trimper said. “They’re great players, but they’re better human beings.”
Stypulkowski was the offensive catalyst after registering three hits with three RBIs on Friday.
He launched a two-run home run to right field in the second inning off losing pitcher Rob Hardy (4-3), providing UMaine with the only runs it would need. He also lined a solo shot to right during a two-run fourth that gave Gosselin-Deschesnes a bit of breathing room.
“Stypulkowski had a great weekend,” Trimper said. “It’s nice that he’s heating up a little bit and being the hitter we thought he could be.”
Shane Bussey collected a double and two singles with an RBI hitting out of the No. 9 spot, while No. 8 man Geary doubled and singled. Heath also contributed two singles.
Brendan Skidmore and Paul Rufo provided doubles for the Bearcats. Hardy surrendered nine hits and four earned runs in four innings.
The Black Bears jumped in front in the second. Morrill stroked a one-out double to right-center and scored on Stypulkowski’s towering homer.
In the fourth, Stypulkowski hit his second home run with one out.
“It was one of those days pretty much everything was going (well),” Heath said. “Styp was hitting the ball over the fence, so it’s easier when he does that.”
Geary followed with a double down the left-field line, Bussey stung and opposite-field single to left and Balzano bounced out to first to plate the run.
UMaine piled on five runs in the eighth inning. It began with a single by Heath, Brett Chappell’s sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk to Morrill. Doran lined a single to center to score the first run off reliever Dylan Stock, then another intentional walk to Stypulkowski and a hit batsman pushed another run across the plate.
Bussey greeted Nicholas Liegi with a run-scoring single to right and Adam later delivered a two-run single to center to complete the scoring.
“It just feels great that guys are having good team chemistry,” Gosselin-Deschesnes said. “We have a big weekend coming up against Albany.”