Former Bangor High standout pitcher Justin Courtney throws a fourth inning pitch for Maine to Albany infielder Alex Thul, during game one of a conference doubleheader at Mahaney Diamond on Friday, May 19th, 2017. Photo by Chris Lessner
ORONO- The Albany Great Danes baseball team swept a pair of one run games from the Maine Black Bears during an America East doubleheader at sunsplashed Mahaney Diamond Friday afternoon and evening.
In game one, Albany built a 7-1 lead in the seventh inning, and seemed to be on cruise control. But Maine put up a fierce battle in bottom of the ninth, but fell short 7-6.
The big play came in the top of the sixth inning with the game tied 1-1, and Albany with the bases loaded and one out. Alex Thul hit what was sure to be a 5-2-3 doubleplay ground ball to Maine third baseman Cody Pasic. But Pasics throw was too low and eluded catcher Christopher Bec, allowing two runs to score to make it 3-1 Albany. The inning would be the last for Black Bears starting pitcher Justin Courtney.
The Great Danes added to the lead in the seventh on a two run triple by Travis Collins, and an RBI groundout by Matt Hinchy.
Down 7-2 in the ninth, Maine rallied when Tyler Schwanz walked with the bases loaded, Colin Ridley knocked in a run on a fielders choice, pinch hitter Jonathan Bennett had an RBI infield single, and Hernen Sardinas roped an RBI single to left to make it 7-6. But Albany reliever Dominic Savino nailed down his fifth save by getting Caleb Kerbs to groundout to short to end it.
Courtney (4-5) took the loss for Maine, allowing seven runs, only three earned, eight hits, with three walks, and one strikeout in the six inning effort. J.T. Genovese (4-1) was solid in the win for Albany, allowing one run, none earned, five hits, three walks, with six strikeouts in his six innings of work.
In game two, a seven inning contest would take 10 innings to decide.
Albany shortstop Collins was the hero though, as his single up the middle to center field scored Connor Powers to give the Great Danes a 3-2 win.
Kevin Donati started Albany off on the right foot, lacing a line drive RBI double down the left field line in the top of the first, to make it 1-0 in favor of the visitors.
Kerbs had an RBI groundout in the second inning for Maine to make it 1-1, before Bec delivered a sacrifice fly RBI to give Maine their first and only lead of the day at 2-1 in the third inning.
Kyle Sacks delivered an RBI single to right center for Albany in the top of the sixth to make it 2-2, and send the game to extra innings.
Despite an infield single with one out by Tyler Schwanz in the bottom of the 10th inning, Albany ended the game when Bennett grounded into a doubleplay.
Jeff Gelinas (0-3) suffered the loss in relief of starter Nick Silva and middle reliever Connor Johnson. Gelinas went four innings, allowing one earned run, three hits, two walks, with three strikeouts. Savino (5-3) picked up the win for Albany in relief of Kenny McLean and Brendan Smith. Savino went five innings, allowing no runs, five hits, one walk, with two strikeouts.
Maine falls to 20-27 overall, 7-12 in America East play. Albany is now 24-23, 10-12. The two teams wrap up the regular season Saturday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
