The University of Maine baseball team advanced to the second day of the America East Tournament after defeating UAlbany on May 20.
This win allows the Black Bears to continue competing in the tournament, with their next matchup scheduled against UMBC. The victory highlights strong performances both at bat and on the mound for Maine.
Hunter St. Denis started the scoring for Maine by bringing home Nic Pepe in the first inning. Brody Rasmussen added another run with a sacrifice bunt in the second inning, and Pepe capped off a four-run second inning with a three-run home run, his seventh of the season. Albert De La Rosa contributed a solo home run in the fourth, while additional runs came from hits by Pepe, Juju Stevens, and Quinn Murphy during a five-run sixth inning.
Pitcher Jason Krieger earned his fourth win of the season after throwing six and one-third innings on a career-high 127 pitches, allowing five runs on eleven hits while striking out seven batters. Pierce Friedman pitched an inning and two-thirds with one hit allowed and one strikeout, followed by Sebastian Holt who closed out the game without allowing any base runners.
With this victory, Maine improved its record to 22-30 as they move forward in postseason play. The team is set to face UMBC next on Thursday, May 21 at 3 PM; however, game time may shift depending on earlier games’ conclusions.
