Baseball
MAINE vs. ALBANY
Time, site: Noon Saturday (2), noon Sunday, Albany, New York
Records: Maine 15-27 (5-9 America East), Albany 17-22 (5-9)
Series, last meeting: Maine leads 37-29, Albany 6-1 on 5/16/15
Key players: Maine — 3B Danny Casals (.307, 3 home runs, 15 runs batted in, 11 stolen bases), LF Colin Ridley (.299-5-28), RF Tyler Schwanz (.270-4-20, 7 SB), SS Jeremy Pena (.263-1-12, 8 SB), C Kevin Stypulkowski (.257-2-17); Albany — 1B Matt Hinchy (.352-1-30), SS Kevin Donati (.333-0-16, 12 SB), RF Kyle Sacks (.319-2-24, 7 SB), C Evan Harasta (.290-1-28)
Pitching matchups: Maine — RH Logan Fullmer (3-1, 2.06 earned run average, 54 strikeouts), RH John Arel (1-7, 3.88, 53), RH Chris Murphy (0-2, 6.61, 38); Albany — LH Brendan Ryan (4-2, 3.83, 36), RH Stephen Woods (2-4, 5.83, 64), RH Ryan Stinar (4-0, 2.08, 27)
Game notes: The Black Bears look to extend a four-game winning streak in what will be a battle for fifth place in the conference standings. UMaine is coming off Wednesday’s 9-3 win over Division III Colby after sweeping UMass Lowell at home last weekend. The Great Danes have lost three of their last five in America East play, but outslugged Manhattan 21-9 on Tuesday. UMaine’s offense continues to be somewhat sporadic, but patience could pay off against an Albany staff that has issued a league-high 176 walks in 312⅓ innings (4.5 per game). Hinchy and Donati rank fourth and ninth, respectively, in AE batting. UMaine’s Fullmer is third in ERA. The Black Bears continue to work around the absence of sophomore right-hander Justin Courtney of Bangor (2-3, 3.56 ERA), who has been dealing with some tightness/soreness in his pitching shoulder. He hasn’t pitched since April 9.