Maine’s Mike McDonald throws a complete game in Game 1.
By Sun Journal staff

OLD WESBURY, N.Y. – The University of Maine baseball team erupted for seven unanswered to hand New York Tech an 8-1 setback in Game 1 of a twinbill Saturday before dropping Game 2, 7-6.

Mike McDonald (3-0) spun a complete game gem in the first game, striking out four while surrendering one walk to register the win.

Gregg Creek, Mike Ferriggi, Ryan Quintral and Simon Williams each drilled a pair of safeties in support of McDonald.

Game 2 saw a reversal of fortunes as the Black Bears’ (11-8) four-run rally in the top of the seventh inning fell just short as they succumbed to a 7-6 setback.

Sam Warner suffered the loss. Ross Cantara and Williams paced the 10-hit attack with a pair of hits and Joe Hough added a solo home run.

Brandeis 1, St. Joseph’s 0

WALTHAM, Mass. – Brandeis University senior Paul Ramsdell threw a complete game two-hitter to carry the Judges to a 1-0 win over St. Joseph’s in baseball action Saturday.

Brandeis (4-5) sophomore catcher Phil Aurigemma executed a superb suicide squeeze that brought in freshman right fielder Ben Dashefsky for the game-winner in the fifth inning.

The Monks advanced a runner in scoring position only once when junior center fielder Andy Exley singled with one out in the ninth and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by freshman shortstop Mark Clapp. However, Ramsdell sealed the victory by striking out the next batter.

USM splits pair

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The University of Southern Maine crushed four home runs to highlight a 16-4 victory over Gustavus Adolphus College in the second game of a doubleheader Saturday, dropping the opener 8-6 at Miller Huggins Field.

In the opening game, junior Ash Larson stroked an RBI single in the top of the seventh inning to break a 6-6 tie and later scored to give the Golden Gusties (2-2) an 8-6 triumph.

In the nightcap, the Huskies (5-6-1) wasted little time pouncing on the rookie starter Ben Levy for three runs on freshman Joe McGhee’s second home run of the season. USM added four more in the second when Levy walked three straight batters with one out, and then served up a grand slam to senior Adam Lemieux.

The Huskies struck for four more in the fourth on a solo homer by sophomore Tip Fairchild of Monmouth and a three-run triple by freshman Peter St. Onge. Senior Brandon Brewer hit a leadoff homer in the sixth to spark another four-run inning.

Freshman Josh Stroup of Monmouth hurled the first five innings to pick up the win.

Softball

Colby 6, Thomas 1

FORT MEYERS, Fla. – The Colby College softball team closed out its southern trip with a 6-1 win over local rival Thomas College.

Kate Hurd had three hits, scored one run and drove in a run to pace the White Mules’ attack. Miki Starr added a double and an RBI while Emily Allen and Wendy Bonner each added a hit apiece in the win.

Toni-Lynn Roberts struck out 11 in the complete game win.

USM splits pair

DANBURY, Conn. – Sophomore Natasha Jackson hit an RBI-sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth inning to lift the University of Southern Maine to a 2-1 win in the opener, but Western Connecticut State University held on for a 5-3 triumph in the nightcap Saturday.

The Huskies (9-3) evened up the opener 1-1 in the third inning, when senior Jessie Becher of South Paris cracked a two-out double to score freshman Christen Lachappelle.

Western Connecticut jumped out to a 3-0 lead through four innings of play in the second game, before the Huskies scored single runs in the fifth and sixth to pull within one. However, the Colonials (3-6) responded with a two-run rally in the seventh to safely add some distance down the stretch.

Katie Mainville took the pitching victory in Game 1 to remain perfect on the season (5-0), while Melissa Henderson got the loss in the nightcap.

Bates sweeps Brandeis

WALTHAM, Mass. – Senior catcher Cami Dyson went 4-for-8 with three RBI and scored two runs as Bates College swept a pair, 6-4 and 14-6, from Brandeis University in softball action Saturday.

Sophomore center fielder Andrea Lichtman had three hits with a double and three runs for the Bobcats (4-5). Senior catcher Amanda Beck also had three hits with a triple, while sophomore Kyla DeCato provided three hits with two doubles and three runs scored.

In Game 1, Bates took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when rookie shortstop Caitlin Murphy scored on a wild pitch. The Judges (1-11) answered in the bottom of the frame on a two-run double and a home run for a 4-1 lead that was repealed when the Bobcats scored four runs in the fifth inning.

In the nightcap, Bates batted around in the first and sixth innings, scoring seven runs in both frames to walk away with a win.

Women’s lacrosse

Amherst 18, Colby 10

BRUNSWICK – Ashley Harmeling scored four goals and earned six assists to power Amherst College to an 18-10 win over Colby College in NESCAC women’s lacrosse action Saturday afternoon.

Cate Smith and Allison Aldrich chipped in with four goals apiece to contribute to the Jeffs’ (4-0) undefeated streak as the defending NCAA Division III champs.

Elizabeth Ghilardi paced the Mules (1-4) with three goals and one assist. Kate Wheeler also had three goals, while Kelsey Neville had two. Emma Miller and Allie Libby each had one goal and an assist in the loss.

Men’s lacrosse

Bates 13, Wesleyan 9

LEWISTON – Bates College used a balanced offense, with nine players scoring goals, to beat previously undefeated Wesleyan, 13-9, in NESCAC men’s lacrosse action Saturday afternoon at the Campus Avenue Field.

After completing the first half in a 4-4 deadlock, the Bobcats (2-1) shifted into high gear with a 7-2 run on the Cardinals (5-1) to take an 11-6 lead into the final quarter.

Brad Frost led Bates with two goals and an assist. Matt Bognacki, Wes Couture and Chris Eckhoff also scored a pair of goals.

Dan Ross scored a goal and added an assist, while Peter Friedman, Scott Duddy and Mark Boccard each added a pair of assists in the win.

Track and field

Sinclair sets record

GORHAM – Junior Kristen Sinclair of the University of Southern Maine women’s outdoor track and field team set a school record in the javelin throw Saturday afternoon while competing at the Spring Fling Invitational held at the NSAT National Training Center in Clermont, Fla.

Sinclair’s throw of 140.8 feet (42.88 meters) smashed her former school record by more than 10 feet.

Besides winning the event, Sinclair’s effort also provisionally qualified her for the NCAA Division III National Championships to be held in May.

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