BANGOR – University of Maine at Farmington sophomores Ben Keene and Tom Grady and freshman Trevor Hisler all had three hits to pace the Beavers to a 13-5 win over Lyndon State College, in the first game of Sunday’s North Atlantic Conference baseball doubleheader at Husson University’s Winkin Complex.
The Beavers were unable to keep the bats hot in the second game, falling 5-0 to the Hornets in the nightcap and giving UMF (6-16, 5-7 NAC) a split for the day and the series.
In game one, Lyndon State (5-7, 5-7 NAC) built a 5-0 lead through the first two innings, before Farmington got two of those runs back in the bottom of the second.
The Beavers took the lead with a four-run third inning, on singles by Keene and Hisler coupled with four walks and two Lyndon State errors.
Hisler and Keene each finished with a pair of runs batted in, while Keene also crossed for two runs.
Farmington put the game beyond reach with seven runs in the fourth. Grayson Beressi and Mark Leahy each stroked RBI doubles for the Beavers, while Keene plated two runs with a slow single to shortstop. Sean Cabaniss also had a base hit for a run in the fourth.
Beaver starter Jimmy Neal allowed five runs, four earned, on seven hits and six walks over his five-and-a-third innings of work, and fanned five Hornets. Five of those hits were allowed in the first two innings.
Jeff Williams got the start for the Hornets, and was charged with six runs, all earned, on six hits and five walks, and took the loss. Seven difference players had Lyndon’s seven hits in the game.
In the nightcap, Lyndon State scored three runs in the third on one hit and a two-run error. With bases loaded, Tyler Pelletier hit a chopper back to Beaver pitcher Jory Humphrey who went for the force at home. However the UMF catcher couldn’t get a handle on the ball, and two runs scored as the ball rolled to the backstop.
The Hornets added two runs in the seventh on Ian Sackett’s two-out, two-run single up the middle.
Keene paced Farmington at the plate in game two with two hits, while senior Brett Wallingford, freshman Mark Leahy, and Neal each had one hit.
Humphrey was tagged with the loss for the Beavers after allowing two earned runs on two hits and six walks against four strikeouts. Sam Matthews got the win for the Hornets, scattering five hits while fanning six UMF batters.
The Beavers return to action on Wednesday, April 16, when they are scheduled to host Thomas College. Lyndon State travels to Henniker, N.H., on Tuesday, April 15, to face New England College.
