The University of Maine is going to need some senior leadership on and off the field to break its offensive doldrums and snap a six-game losing streak.
Logan Fullmer provided his experience and poise from the mound on Sunday afternoon.
The Black Bears’ veteran pitcher flipped the switch from closer to starter and pitched nine scoreless innings, but he did not get rewarded as UMaine suffered a 2-0, 12-inning loss to Binghamton at Mahaney Diamond in Orono.
Relying on a sharp slider and a well-located fastball, the right-hander demonstrated that he is ready and willing to be a starter if called upon.
“It was definitely something I’m not used to this season,” Fullmer said, “but whatever the team needs, I’m going to try and come out and get a win.”
The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder from Lebanon, Pennsylvania, turned in his best performance as a Black Bear. Fullmer limited Binghamton to three singles, struck out a career-best 10 and walked two while throwing 108 pitches.
“That’s the type of mentality that spreads, you see a guy going out there and just shutting things down,” said freshman Caleb Kerbs.
The UMaine coaching staff has been trying to incorporate some younger, untested pitchers into the regular mix this season. Through the first 22 games, Fullmer (0-1, three saves) had made only seven appearances and had worked 8⅓ innings as a reliever.
Coach Steve Trimper couldn’t help but think he was needed in the starting rotation.
“We get through Florida where we didn’t have a lot of save situations and he wasn’t pitching,” Trimper said, “so here I am saying as the head coach, one of our best pitchers is sitting around. Getting into conference [play], it changes a little bit. We’ve got to try to win everything we can, so we wanted to try to give him a start.”
Trimper had told Fullmer, who was ready to serve as the closer during Saturday’s doubleheader, that he would start the finale if he had not pitched.
Switching from a quick warm-up with a sense of urgency as a closer to facing more protracted preparation for a much longer haul did not seem to adversely affect Fullmer.
“I doubled my innings in this one game, but it is what it is,” he said. “I’m used to going one inning or two innings here and there, but once you get going you feel fine.”
Fullmer, who has given up only seven hits and three runs in 17⅓ innings, has struck out 27 and walked seven and owns a 1.56 earned run average. He is committed to doing whatever is needed.
“Whether it’s closing, coming in mid-innings or starting, it doesn’t really matter to me,” he said.
Trimper saw enough Sunday to realize Fullmer may be able to effect the staff more as a starter.
“Next week, I’m sure we’ll probably stick with the same and get him into a starting role [at Stony Brook],” he said.