BANGOR- Augusta scored a run in the top of the ninth inning on Sunday evening at the Winkin Complex, and defeated Bangor 3-2 in the Greater Northeast Collegiate Baseball season opener at the Winkin Complex.
The Surgin’ Sturgeon jumped on the board in the top of the first on a RBI infield single by Brady Vincent (Edward Little, CMCC). The Babes tied it up in the third after the first two batters were retired. TJ Llerena (Hampden, USM), Chris Gaudio, and Noah Simpson singled consecutively with Simpsons hit going for a RBI. Augusta regained a 2-1 advantage taking advantage of four walks in the fourth inning, with the fourth one taken by Santiago Sanchez to score Alex Bartlett (Oceanside, SMCC). Noah Hurd (Mt. View High, Husson University) then came on to pitch in a tough spot with the bases loaded and one out, but got a strikeout and a flyout to thwart any further damage. Bangor made it 2-2 in the eighth after Llerena led off with a single, and after two walks would score on a wild pitch. Nicholas Binette (Oxford Hills, USM) came through with a game winning two-out RBI triple for the Sturgeon in the ninth. The Babes threatened with their last chance in the bottom of the ninth when Brendan Mahaney (Old Town, CMCC) led off with a single, and Joseph Wellman-Clouse (MDI, UMF) walked. But Vincent picked up the save when he struckout Evan Nadeau (Brewer, Thomas), and then retired Llerena and Gaudio to both popout to end it.
Llerena led Bangor with two hits and also scored both runs. The Babes used eight different pitchers, with Grady Vanestidine (Brewer High, Endicott College) taking the loss. Hurd was very strong going a perfect 1.2 innings with four strikeouts. Binette reached twice for Augusta with a walk, a triple, and the game-winning RBI. Bartlett singled, walked, and scored a run. Sam Calder (Monmouth, USM) went 6.0 innings on the mound allowing one run on three hits, with one walk and five strikeouts. Brady Harvie (Windham, Plymouth State) picked up the win in relief. Defending champion Bangor is back in action at home on Thursday when they play a doubleheader vs the Waterville Woodworkers beginning at 5:30 p.m.
