Maine's Offensive Surge
The Black Bears erupted in a five-run sixth inning that turned a close contest into a decisive 11-5 win over Albany at Vestal, New York. Quinn Murphy doubled in two runs, and Juju Stevens followed with a two-run single, capping the rally that put the third-seeded team, now 22-30, firmly in control.
Earlier in the game, Nic Pepe launched a three-run homer in the second inning, giving Maine an early cushion. Winning pitcher Jason Krieger limited Albany to five runs over 6 1/3 innings, scattering 11 hits while striking out seven batters and throwing 127 pitches.
Next Opponent: UMBC
Maine will now face second-seeded UMBC, a 28-22 squad that split the regular-season series with the Black Bears. The upcoming matchup promises a rematch of a tightly contested rivalry, with both teams eyeing a favorable position in the double-elimination bracket.
Other Tournament Action
Meanwhile, Binghamton and UMass Lowell are scheduled to meet at 11 a.m., with the two losers of that slate set to collide in an elimination game at 7 p.m. The tournament schedule sets the stage for a busy day of high-stakes baseball across the conference.