The University of Maine baseball squad entered the America East Tournament final with a chance to clinch a spot in the championship round, but a late‑inning collapse turned triumph into heartbreak.
In the bottom of the ninth, relief pitcher Sebastian Holt, who had been tied for the league lead in saves, walked a batter, issued a base‑on‑balls with the bases loaded and hit a batter, allowing the tying run to cross the plate.
The decisive moment came when Holt walked Zach Anderson on a 3‑2 pitch, bringing home the winning run and sealing a 6‑5 loss for the Black Bears.
UMaine had taken a 5‑4 lead earlier in the ninth when freshman first baseman Hunter St. Denis launched his 11th homer of the season, but the lead evaporated after a cascade of walks and a hit‑by‑pitch.
Binghamton’s offense was sparked by a single from Braylen Gonzalez and a clutch RBI single from Matt Bolton, while Albert De La Rosa’s fifth‑inning homer and Tim Hennig’s triple kept the hosts in contention.
Despite the setback, UMaine will now face the University of Maryland Baltimore County in a winner‑takes‑all game on Saturday, with the victor needing to defeat Binghamton twice to claim the tournament title.
Looking Ahead
Coach and players alike acknowledged the sting of the loss but emphasized the team’s resilience, noting that freshman Thomas Stabley’s five‑inning effort and the contributions of players like Juju Stevens, Troy Carpenter, and Quinn Murphy keep the Black Bears’ hopes alive.
The upcoming showdown promises a pitching duel between UMaine’s emerging arms and Binghamton’s seasoned relievers, setting the stage for a dramatic finish to the tournament.