Maine sweeps double header from UMBC

Jonathan Balentina pitches 5 1/3 for a win (Photo GoBlackBears.com)

The University of Maine baseball team swept a doubleheader from UMBC on Saturday afternoon winning the first game 4-0, before taking the second game 11-5. Rookie Alex Calbick (Burnaby, British Columbia) led the Black Bears on the day as he 3-for-4 with two runs scored and four RBI. He belted a three-run home run in the first game for the Black Bears.
In the first game, Maine took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Taylor Lewis (Montville, Conn.) led off the game with a single through the right side. He then stole second and third and scored on a Joey Martin (Portland, Maine) sacrifice fly.

Alex Calbick gave Maine a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning when he belted a three-run home run over the right field fence.  Justin Leisenheimer (Middle Village, N.Y.) had singled and twin brother, Ian Leisenheimer (Middle Village, N.Y.) drew a walk ahead of Calbick's home run. It was the second homer of the season for Calbick.

Keith Bilodeau (Bourne, Mass.) had another outstanding performance on the mound for the Black Bears. He pitched his fourth straight complete game and scattered just five hits while striking out five.  It is his second straight shutout. He improves to 6-2 on the season.

Mike Mitchell went all six innings for UMBC. He allowed four runs on eight hits. He falls to 1-8 on the season.

In the second game, UMBC jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Brian Klukowicz doubled and Kevin Kean followed with a single. Both runners scored when Jason Allinder hit a home run over the left field fence. Rob McCabe singled, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored when Michael Pesci reached on an error.

Maine answered in the bottom of the frame. Calbick singled to center field and scored when Mike Connolly (Middleborough, Mass.) doubled to the left field fence. Connolly scored when Troy Black (Mississauga, Ontario) singled up the middle.

Maine took the lead in the bottom of the third inning. Michael Fransoso (Portsmouth, N.H.) singled, stole second, advanced to third on a balk and scored on a Joey Martin (Portland, Maine) fielder's choice. Martin scored when Tyler Patzalek (Burlington, Ontario) doubled down the left field line. Patzalek scored when Calbick hit a sacrifice fly.

The Black Bears added a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Connolly singled and stole second. He advanced to third when Lewis flew out. Fransoso walked and then stole second base. Both runners scored when Martin had an infield single and then advanced to second on an error.

UMBC got a run in the top of the fifth inning. Max Himmelstein singled and scored on a passed ball.

Maine answered right back. Justin Leisenheimer singled to third base and scored when Colin Gay (Franklin, Mass) belted his first career triple down the left field line.

The Black Bears scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Gay singled and Connolly followed with a double. Both runners scored when Black singled to right center field. Maine capped the scoring with a run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Fran Whitten (Westborough, Mass.) was hit and scored when Justin Leisenheimer doubled down the left field line.

Connolly finished the game 3-for-4 with three runs scored. Gay also had three hits in the game for the Black Bears.
Jeffrey Gibbs (Toronto, Ontario) went three innings. He allowed four runs, three of which were earned, on seven hits. He struck out three. Jonathan Balentina (Willemstad, Curacao) replaced Gibbs. He went 5.1 innings and allowed just one unearned run on one hit. He struck out six batters and picks up the victory. He improves to 2-1 on the season. Joe Miller (Valley Stream, N.Y.) retired the final two batters of the game in order.

Sean Swetnam went four innings for UMBC. He allowed seven runs, six of which were earned, on eight hits. He falls to 1-5 on the season. He was replaced by Josh Dick who went one inning and allowed one run on two hits. Sam Bashioum went one inning and did not allow a hit. Steve Miller went one inning and allowed two runs on four hits. He was replaced by Shane Vlasic who allowed one run on a pair of hits.

Maine and UMBC finish their four-game America East series with a doubleheader on Sunday, May 1. First pitch is scheduled for 1 pm.
-UNIVERSITY OF MAINE-