It has been the story so far of the 2026 Maine baseball team. Bryant University rallied for two runs in the top of the ninth inning on Thursday afternoon, and spoiled the Black Bears home opener with a 4-3 America East win at Mahaney Diamond in Orono.
Things started well for the Black Bears, as Nic Pepe hit a leadoff solo homerun to right field in the bottom of the first inning. It was the 36th long ball hit by the team so far this year. Hunter St. Denis later in the frame added a RBI single for a 2-0 advantage. The visiting Bulldogs tied it in the fifth. Gavin Greger had a RBI single, and then scored later in the inning from third base when Maine threw a runner out at second. The hosts took the lead back 3-2 in the eighth. Pepe led off with a walk and pinch runner Jack Quigley stole second. Quinn Murphy knocked in Quigley with a single to right. Pierce Friedman came into the game in relief of starter Jason Krieger for the Black Bears in the top of the ninth, and immediately ran into trouble when the first two Bryant batters reached on singles. After a sacrifice bunt to move the runners up to second and third and a strikeout, Friedman intentionally walked the next hitter Greger. Justin Hackett was next up and with two outs laid down a perfect suicide squeeze to reach base and tie it. Dylan Prince would provide the game winner by scoring from third on a Friedman wild pitch. Maine went in order in their last at bat. Their last chance was a bunt attempt by Chris Bear to the third baseman. It was a close play at first and ruled an out. After video review, the call was upheld as Bear came up short with his right foot and didn’t reach the bag.
Carlos Irizarry had two hits for Bryant, while Greger and Hackett each had one hit and one RBI. Greger also scored a run. Sean Zaslaw (2-0) won on the mound in 2.0 innings of relief, and Cole Schiff picked up his first save. The Bulldogs improve to 17-10 and 5-2 in America East. Pepe reached base three times from the top spot in the order with a solo homer, two walks, and a run scored for Maine. Krieger pitched well in a no-decision going 8.0 innings allowing two runs on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts. The redshirt junior righthander threw 117 pitches, while Friedman (1-1) suffered the blown save loss. The Black Bears drop to 5-22 overall and 3-4 in conference play. The teams continue the three game series on Friday with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.
Photo of Nic Pepe courtesy of UMaine Athletics
