Waterville scored twice in the eighth inning to build a three run advantage, and held on to defeat Bangor 4-2 in a Greater Northeast Collegiate Baseball League game played at the Winkin Complex on the campus of Husson University on Thursday night.
The Babes took their only lead in the bottom of the first inning on a RBI single by Peter Keblinsky. The Woodworkers scored one in the fourth on an error, and then one in the fifth on a RBI groundout by Reis Stamaris to grab the advantage for good. The visitors extended that lead to 4-1 in the eighth inning on another Bangor error and a RBI fielders choice grounder by Allen Merrifield. The Babes cut it to 4-2 on a leadoff solo homerun by Bodie Bishop in the bottom half of the frame, and had a great chance in the last of the ninth to at least tie it when they loaded the bases with two outs but Brendan Mahaney popped out to the shortstop to end it.
Keblinsky and Bishop both had one hit and one RBI for Bangor in the loss. Jacob Love took the pitching defeat in relief allowing one run in 1.2 innings of work. Noah Hurd continued to dominate on the mound as he once again was not scored on, going 2.0 innings giving up one hit while not walking anyone and striking out four. Stamaris and Austin Buck each drove in a run for Waterville, while Liam Scholl picked up the win on the hill going 5.0 innings allowing one run on two hits with no walks and three strikeouts. The Woodworkers remain in first place in the Northern Division with a record of 7-3. The Babes (5-4) are back in action on Sunday when they travel to South Portland for a doubleheader against the Puffins beginning at 3 p.m.
The numbers on Hurd on the season so far in six appearances on the mound- 2-0 record, 14.1 innings pitched, no runs allowed on seven hits, with four walks and 22 strikeouts.
