A Tough Loss at Mahaney Diamond
The University at Albany baseball team traveled to Orono, Maine, where they faced the Black Bears in a back‑and‑forth contest that ended 7‑5 in favor of the hosts. Despite a spirited effort, the Great Danes could not hold a late rally that sealed the series win.
Coach Jon Mueller praised his squad’s resilience but noted that missed opportunities in the seventh inning proved costly. “We fought hard, but Maine’s bats came alive when it mattered most,” he said after the game.
UAlbany struck first in the second inning, capitalizing on a single by Tre Mariano and an RBI hit from Jaxon Mueller that put the visitors on the board early. The lead was short‑lived, however, as Maine exploded for four runs in the third, highlighted by a grand slam from Juju Stevens and a solo homer by Troy Carpenter.
Maine’s early surge gave them a 4‑0 advantage, but the Great Danes answered in the seventh with a two‑RBI single from Mueller, narrowing the gap. The comeback was short‑lived; a walk by Stevens, a double by Hunter St. Denis and an RBI single by Carpenter extended the lead to 7‑5.
Pitching was a bright spot for Albany. Victor Mazzara delivered a strong eighth inning, preserving the team’s hopes, while relievers Dylan Banner, Zach Mravlja, Matthew Mariano and Mariano’s brother added depth to the staff. Luke Filippi contributed two hits, and Patrick DeSarno’s two‑hit, two‑walk effort kept the offense moving.
Looking Ahead to the Regular‑Season Finale
The Great Danes will conclude the regular season with a rematch against Maine on May 16 at 1:15 PM. The series finale offers a chance to reverse the recent outcome and finish the year on a positive note.
With a current record of 15‑32 overall and 9‑14 in America East play, Albany aims to build on the performances of Mueller, who finished 3‑for‑5 with three RBIs, and DeSarno, who added two hits and an RBI. The team hopes to translate those moments into a stronger finish.
The upcoming game will also be a test for the conference standings, as Maine sits at 20‑30, 13‑10 in the America East. A win could shift momentum for both programs as they head into the postseason.