Bates junior Karl Alexander threw a nine-inning, complete-game win, striking out a career-high 14 batters and walking none, to lead the Bobcats to a 3-1 victory over Husson University on Sunday at Leahey Field.Alexander (Cambridge, Mass.) scattered seven hits and held the Eagles (18-13) scoreless but for Jake Arthers' solo home run in the sixth inning, the junior's second of the year.
The Bobcats (9-12) won their second straight game in as many days, only the second time this season they have put together consecutive wins.
Alexander (3-2) outdueled Husson senior lefthander Ryan Arsenault (Portland, Maine), who dropped to 5-2 despite an eight-inning, complete-game performance in which he limited Bates to six hits and three walks while striking out six.
Arsenault's wild pitch in the third inning allowed Bates senior Jake Simon (Waterford, Conn.) to score from second base to break a scoreless tie. Simon had led off with a single and was pushed to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior Mike Ciummei (Acton, Mass.). The fourth ball in senior Noah Burke's (Appleton, Maine) walk dribbled to the backstop, and Husson first-year catcher Nik Ververis (Plainfield, Conn.) had trouble finding the ball, allowing Simon to advance an extra base and Burke to take second.
The Bobcats got two runs in the fifth inning for a 3-0 edge. Ciummei hit a one-out single, followed by another walk to Noah Burke. Sophomore Ryan Sonberg (Windsor, Conn.) laced a single down the right field line to score Ciummei and move Burke to third base. Senior Pat Murphy (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) then lined out to left field, but Burke tagged up and scored Bates' third run.
Husson got a run back in the fifth on Arthers' one-out solo home run, which dropped over the fence in left field and sunk into the snow bank beyond. Alexander regrouped well, however, striking out senior Ethan Guerrette (Sabattus, Maine) and senior Chris Maguire (Orland, Maine), both on called third strikes, to end the inning.
Alexander never let up. after junior Kyle Vanidestine (Bangor, Maine) led off the seventh with a single, Alexander struck out three striaght Eagles to strand Vanidesti and first. Alexander got out of the eighth inning on just three or four pitches, two foul outs and a grounder. The righthander came out for the ninth and quickly got two outs before Vanidestine singled up the middle. Alexander got first-year Josh Gaudette (Waterville, Maine) swinging for the final out of the game.
Alexander's previous single-game high in strikeouts was nine, recorded as a freshman two years ago against UMaine-Farmington. This is his fifth career complete game, but the first one to go nine innings.
Bates plays host to Thomas College tomorrow at 4 p.m. Husson hosts a doubleheader against Bowdoin tomorrow at 4 p.m.
Bates 3, Husson 1 (Apr 17, 2011 at Lewiston, Maine)
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Husson.............. 000 001 000 - 1 7 0 (18-13)
Bates............... 001 020 00X - 3 6 0 (9-12)
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Pitchers: Husson - R. Arsenault and N. Ververis. Bates - Karl Alexander and Jake Simon.
Win-Karl Alexander(3-2) Loss-R. Arsenault(5-2) T-1:55 A-80
HR HUS - J. Arthers (2).
Weather: 55, cloudy, wind WSW 14
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