FARMINGTON – Tom Grady (Whitefield, Maine) had four hits, drove in three runs, and scored a run of his own as the University of Maine at Farmington baseball team split a doubleheader with Thomas College on Thursday afternoon at Hippach Field. UMF overcame a two-run deficit to secure a 4-3, win in the first game before suffering a, 12-7, loss in the second contest.
The Beavers surrendered a run in the top of the first inning but grabbed one back as Jordan Croteau (So. Paris, Maine) crushed an RBI double to left center field.
Thomas claimed a pair in the top of the third but Farmington capped off the comeback with three runs in the fifth inning. Chad Snowman (Dixfield, Maine) led off the inning with a single up the middle and then Trevor Hisler (Skowhegan, Maine) drew a walk.
Sean Cabaniss (Vassalboro, Maine) roped a single up the middle to bring the Beavers within one and then Grady slapped a single through the left side to tie the game. Jimmy Neal (Farmington, Maine) kept the line moving with an RBI double in the right field gap for the decisive one-run advantage.
Joe Sullivan (Lewiston, Maine) pitched a complete game, fanned six batters and scattered eight hits.
The Terriers came alive in the second game with 12 runs on 20 hits. UMF had three runners cross the plate in the first inning with a sacrifice fly by Dustin McCrossin (Yarmouth, Maine) and then back-to-back hits from Grady and Grayson Beressi (Falmouth, Maine).
Thomas had a strong second inning with four runs on four hits, including three extra-base hits.
Grady lined an RBI single down the third base line in the third inning to draw closer, but Thomas had another big inning in the fourth with four more runs.
UMF rallied in their final at-bat by drawing the bases loaded with one out. Beressi walked but the comeback fell short with two quick outs to end the game.
UMaine-Farmington hosts Castleton State on Saturday and Sunday for a pair of doubleheaders starting at 12:00 p.m.
