Bulldogs fall to Maine, 6-5, on Thursday

ORONO, Maine – The University of Maine earned a 6-5 walk-off victory over the Bryant University baseball team on Thursday afternoon at Mahaney Diamond.

With the loss, the Bulldogs fall to 26-21 overall and 12-10 in America East play.

Bryant built a 4-0 lead but the Black Bears scored five times in the bottom of the fifth. The Bulldogs were able to tie the game in the seventh but Maine won the game in the bottom of the ninth.

Coleman Picard struck out four and allowed just two baserunners over 4.0 scoreless innings. Bryant got hits from seven different players.

Game Information
Maine 6, Bryant 5
Records: Bryant 26-21, 12-10 | Maine 27-19, 17-5
Location: Mahaney Diamond (Orono, Maine)
W|L|S: Lavigueur | LeVangie

Key Moments

• With runners on the corners and one out in the ninth, Matthew Stansky induced an inning-ending double play ball but the grounder hit the umpire on its way to short. The ruling loaded the bases and Maine won in the next at-bat.

How it Happened

• Justin Hackett gave the Bulldogs a lead as he hit a hooking drive to left that stayed fair for a leadoff home run in the third.
• Jackson Phinney started a two-out rally in the fourth as he laced a ground-rule double to right center. Hackett drew a walk and Zac Zyons was HBP to load the bases. Jake Gustin hit the first pitch through the right to score two.
• Bryant added another two-out run in the fifth to make it 4-0. Matt Smith drew a two-out walk, stole second and John Hosmer scored him with a single up the middle.
• Maine plated its first runs in the bottom of the fifth against reliever Mark Scamardella. Ryan Turenne hit a solo home run to right field and Jake Rainess hit a two-run shot to make it 4-3. A double and an intentional walk was followed by a throwing error that allowed two runs to score and give Maine a 5-4 lead.
• The Bulldogs tied the game in the seventh on a sac fly. Lewis Barnum was hit by a pitch, got to second on a wild pitch, moved to third on a ground out and scored on a sac fly from Matt Smith.
• In the ninth, back-to-back singles put runners on the corners with one out. A ground ball ticketed for a 6-4-3 double play then hit the umpire. The ruling loaded the bases for Maine and Quinn McDaniel singled threw a drawn-in infield.

Inside the Box Score

• Picard started and tossed 4.0 dominant innings. He allowed just two baserunners – one single and one walk – and struck out four on 69 pitches.
• Liam LeVangie delivered 3.2 innings of relief. He allowed one run on one hit, walked one and struck out four.
• Gustin drove in a pair of runs.
• Matt Smith and John Hosmer each drove in a run.
• Hackett homered and scored twice.

Game Notes

• Bryant and Maine were meeting for the first time since 2012.
• The series is now 3-2 in Bryant's favor.
• Gustin extended his on-base streak to 26 games.
• Picard has now allowed just one unearned run over his last four starts. He has allowed seven hits, walked six and struck out 19 in 15.1 innings.
• LeVangie has allowed two runs over his last seven appearances (11.2 innings).
• Hackett's home run was his third of the season.

Up Next
Bryant and Maine continue their series on Friday with a 4:00 p.m. first pitch.