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Smith, Cather Lead Maine Past Coppin State 13-1
April 16, 2008
BALTIMORE, Md.-- Curt Smith (Willemstad, Curacao) went three-for-five with three runs scored and four RBI, while Billy Cather (Worcester, Mass.) was three-for-six with two runs scored and three RBI to lead the University of Maine baseball team to a 13-1 win over Coppin State on Wednesday afternoon in Baltimore, Md. The Black Bears improve to 12-16-1 on the season with the victory. Maine jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Cather reached on an error and stole second and third base. Smith followed with a double to left center field scoring Cather. Smith scored when Myckie Lugbauer (Mahopac, N.Y) singled to right field. The Black Bears added single runs in both the second and third innings. Joey Martin (Portland, Maine) doubled in the top of the second and scored when Cather singled through the right side. Cather then stole his third base in the game tying a school record for stolen bases in a game with three. It is the 17th time in school history that a Maine player has stolen three bases in a game. Joe Hough was the last to accomplish the feat in 2006. Smith walked to lead off the third inning and scored on an attempted double steal. Coppin State scored its lone run in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Black Bears added eight runs in the top of the seventh inning. Tony Patane (New Milford, Conn.) led off the inning and singled through the left side. Jarrett Lukas (Old Town, Maine) reached on an error and Patane advanced to second base. Kevin Jackson (Wappingers Falls, N.Y.) reached on an error and Patane scored. Joe Mercurio (Brewster, N.Y.) also reached on an error to load the bases. Cather ripped a two-run single up the middle plating both Lukas and Jackson. Danny Menendez (Miami, Fla.) then singled through the right side scoring Mercurio. Smith followed and blasted a three-run home run to left center field. Cather and Menendez scored ahead of Smith, giving Maine a 11-1 lead. Kevin McAvoy (Brewer, Maine) reached on a fielder's choice. Matt Howard (Weston, Mass.), who pinch ran for McAvoy, scored when Jackson singled.
The Black Bears capped the scoring with a single run in the top of the ninth inning. Patane reached on an error and advanced to second base. Lukas singled up the middle and Patane advanced to third base and scored when Jackson singled through the right side. Joel Thorney (Toronto, Ontario) got the start for Maine and went seven innings. He allowed just one run on four hits while striking out seven batters. He earns the win and improves to 2-1 on the season. Nolan Boike (Arlington, Mass.) pitched the eighth inning for the Black Bears and allowed two hits while striking out a pair. Ryan Forrest (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) pitched the ninth and struck out one batter without allowing a hit. The Black Bears return to action on Friday, April 17 when they play a doubleheader at UMBC starting at 4:00 p.m. -U-M- |
