Bradenton, FL – Maine scored three runs in the top of the first inning, and Lehigh was unable to recover as the Black Bears dropped the Mountain Hawks by a 6-3 score at the IMG Baseball Academy on Friday morning.
The win improves
Maine to 4-6 in 2005; the setback drops Lehigh to 3-4 overall.
The Black Bears got on the board in their first at-bat when left fielder Ryan Quintal laced a two-run single off Lehigh starter Kyle Collina (0-2). Quintal later scored on a Collina wild pitch to make the score 3-0 in favor of Maine. In the third, Maine plated another run when catcher Aaron Izaryk doubled home a run to make the score 4-0.
Maine built a 5-0 lead before Lehigh dented the scoreboard in the home half of the seventh inning. Right fielder Nick Bet doubled home left fielder Andrew Smith to make the score 5-1, and shortstop Liam O’Connor singled home Bet to make the score 5-2. However, Lehigh could get no closer as the teams traded single runs in the eighth.
Bet and second baseman Mike Sandonato each ripped two hits for the Mountain Hawks in a losing effort. Both of Bet’s hits were doubles. In all, Lehigh stranded eight runners on base.
The Mountain Hawks wrap up their Florida trip on Saturday morning, when Lehigh takes on Saint Joseph’s College (Ind.). Game time is set for 10:00 am from Bradenton.
