Central Connecticut State rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth inning after overcoming an early three-run deficit to post a 6-3 baseball victory over the University of Maine at Delray Beach, Florida, on Sunday.
The Black Bears (3-4) had picked up wins in its first two weekend games, beating South Dakota 4-3 on Saturday and 6-0 in Sunday’s early game.
In the weekend finale, the Blue Devils scored three times against UMaine closer Jeff Gelinas (0-1) to get the win. CCSU posted three hits and took advantage of two walks and a hit batsman in the pivotal ninth.
Buddy Dewaine’s two-run double was the key hit for the winners (4-1). He also added a single. Tyler Coleman stroked a double and two singles (RBI) and Franklin Jennings collected three singles.
Jared Gallagher (1-0) earned the win with 2⅓ innings of two-hit shutout relief.
Danny Casals (double, RBI), Christopher Bec and Caleb Kerbs had two hits apiece for UMaine. Jeremy Pena rapped a two-run double in the second as the Black Bears built a 3-0 lead.
Jackman’s Cody Laweryson spaced four hits in four innings and struck out five in relief of starter Trevor DeLaite of Bangor, who gave up five hits and three runs (two earned), walked five and fanned four.
In Sunday’s first game, three UMaine pitchers combined on a shutout behind six innings of five-hit ball from Nick Silva (1-0). He struck out seven and walked one.
Eddie Emerson pitched two innings, giving up a single hit, then Zach Winn pitched a scoreless ninth.
Brandon Vicens doubled and singled with two RBIs to lead the 12-hit onslaught for UMaine. Tyler Schwanz cranked a solo home run and a single, Bec doubled and singled with an RBI and Casals and Kerbs each posted two singles with an RBI.
The Black Bears roughed up Jackrabbits starter Brady Stover (0-1) for five hits and four runs in the initial 2⅔ innings en route to an early 4-0 lead.
On Saturday, Kerbs delivered Hernen Sardinas (walk) with a two-out single to center field in the top of the eighth inning, lifting the Black Bears to victory over the Jackrabbits.
Vicens stroked a double and two singles to head UMaine’s 11-hit attack, while Sardinas singled twice and hit a sacrifice fly. Pena also contributed two singles.
Jonah Normandeau of Cumberland spaced seven hits and three runs with eight strikeouts and a walk over the first seven innings for the Black Bears, before Connor Johnson picked up the win with two innings of three-hit, shutout relief. Gelinas worked a scoreless ninth to notch his second save.
Matt Johnson doubled and singled with two RBI, while Newt Johnson and Nick Smith posted two singles each for South Dakota State.
Reliever Derek Feige (0-1) took the loss, giving up three hits and two runs with four wild pitches in two innings.
Trailing 3-2, UMaine equalized in the seventh inning. Schwanz singled, took the next two bases on wild pitches and scored one out later on another wild pitch.
The Black Bears threatened in the eighth when Vicens singled with one out, but was picked off first base. Sardinas worked a walk, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Kerbs’ eventual game-winning hit.
South Dakota State made some noise in the ninth when Skyler Wenninger singled and moved up on a wild pitch. Gelinas struck out the next batter before hitting Anthony Schneider with a pitch.
He then induced Smith to hit into a game-ending double play.