Maine eliminates Hartford 2-1 in extra innings

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A long day with extra innings at the ballpark ended well for one team, and bad for another. The Maine Black Bears survived to play another day at the America East Tournament with strong starting pitching and a three-hit game from Tyler Schwanz including a walk-off single down the left field line to defeat the Hartford Hawks 2-1.

This game was dominated by good pitching on both sides. For the Hawks, their starter Brian Stepniak got his team into the sixth trailing only 1-0. The lone run he gave up came in the very first inning. After retiring the first two men he faced to start the ballgame, Stepniak would walk the number three hitter Catcher Christopher Bec. Next batter was Schwanz who roped a double to the center field gap, Bec was running all the way and would come around to score to make it 1-0 Black Bears.

Maine starting pitcher Justin Courtney was outstanding on the mound. The only run he would give up came in the top of the eighth. Number nine hitter Dalton Ruch started the inning by doubling to left field. Courtney was able to get the next two batters, but a walk to Ashton Bardzell set up a first and second chance for Ben Bengtson. Courtney was starting to tire as he would end his night throwing 136 pitches. He could not get Bengtson who drove home the tying run with a single to LF. Game was knotted at 1-1.

This game was now in the hands of the bullpens to see which one would blink first. Unfortunately it was Hartford.

In the bottom of the tenth, vs Hawks relief pitcher John LaRossa, leadoff man Jeremy Pena singled to CF. Another pitching change would bring in Jake Regula. The first man he faced was Lou Della Fera who was asked to bunt the man over and he did to the first base side. Next man Bec was given a free pass to set the stage for Schwanz who delivered his third hit of the game and his second RBI on a sharp single past the third baseman and down the line. It scored Pena with the winning run in walk off style. Final score 2-1 Maine.

Jeff Geilnas got the win going three strong innings of relief allowing only one hit, while LaRossa was the hard luck loser on a day in which the Hawks were ousted from this tourney by losing both of their games in extra frames.

Maine will have to wait to find out who they play next. Weather permitting, the action gets under way at LeLachuer Park at 9 AM on Thursday with number one seed Binghamton set to play.