ORONO, ME

The Diamond Owls returned to action on Monday morning for a makeup doubleheader with Lesley University out of Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was an early 9 a.m. start and Lesley jumped all over UMPI in the early morning game, winning 14-2 as they capitalized on some free-passes and defensive miscues. But in game two, UMPI completely flipped the script, showing up in a big way and played from ahead. In the end however, the Lynx did just enough in extra innings to come away with a one-run victory.

Game 2: (14-2 Lynx)

How it Happened:

It was a less-than-ideal start for the Owls, as they took the field first for the first time this season. Before they could get to the dugout, Lesley did damage with two outs, scoring three times. UMPI answered back as Gabriel Wheeler hit an RBI double. UMPI did leave some runners on however, stranding second and third and went into the second down 3-1. The Lynx took off running from there. They added four in the 2^nd, two in the 3^rd, and three in the 4^th as they but the game in run-rule status. The Owls added on a run in the bottom of the 6^th but it was too little, too late as Lesley cruised to a 14-2 victory.

At the Plate:

UMPI matched Lesley in the hits category with six, and six different players got in on the action. Gabriel Wheeler had the aforementioned RBI double as he went 1-2 while Anthony Searels went 1-3 with an RBI single. Dylan Geren, Ian Michaud, Aiden Toy and Kyle Nichols all singled.

On the Mound:

Michael Langley tossed 2.1 innings of relief, allowing two earned runs and had a strikeout. Nolan Christiansen also threw 2.1 innings and allowed one run on one hit and struck out two. Danielle Moser threw the 7^th for the Owls, allowing one run.

Game 2: (4-3 Lynx)

How it Happened:

The Owls retired the first two batters rather quickly before Lesley's James Brandon went deep for a solo home-run with two outs. UMPI responded in the bottom of the 2^nd in a big way. With two outs and runners on first and second, Hector Perez deposited a well-hit ball 12 inches inside the right field foul-line. With the runners going on contact, both scored with ease and Perez ended up at third with a two-out, two-RBI triple to put the Owls in front.

Then the game became a pitcher's duel.

Garrett Chadwick gave yet another quality outing on the mound for UMPI. He consistently set down the leadoff batters, before running into trouble with two outs. But some clutch locating, along with some stellar defense, helped Chadwick out of many jams.

Lesley tied the game in the 5^th inning, while UMPI was able to hold them from scoring more. In the top of the 7^th, Lesley made what appeared to be the knockout punch when Collin McCarthy hit an RBI double in the gap to score a runner from first base.

But the Owls fought to get back in it when they were down to their last ups. Anthony Searels got thing started with a four-pitch walk. Sam Bay singled up the middle to put two runners on with one out. That brought up Hector Perez who was already sitting on UMPI's only two RBI on the day. With a backside single into right field, he added to it and tied the game.

With men on the corners and only one out, the Owls had the upper hand at exactly the right time and the wining run 90 feet away. Lesley brought everybody in, and had perfect positioning for an opposite field liner, and then made a great play with two outs to end the frame when all seemed lost.

In the 8^th, a diving attempt by right fielder Sam Bay came up short, and to the Owls' shock, the ball was ruled fair and result in a double for Raymond Morales who came on in relief and record the two outs to get out of the jam the inning prior. An RBI single  put Lesley back on top, but some more solid UMPI defense minimized it to one run.

In the bottom of the eighth now with Lesley having all the momentum and retired the first two batters. A two out single from Aiden Toy, wasn't enough to spark another rally, and there would be no UMPI comeback in extras as Lesley closed out the game, winning a thriller 4-3.

At the Plate:

The Owls were led by leadoff hitter and centerfielder Hector Perez. He went 2-4 with all three RBI and a triple and also stole a bag. Sam Bay went 1-2 while Mason Long and Aiden Toy each went 1-4 for the team's total of five hits.

On the Mound:

Garrett Chadwick played hero ball in this one as he got the bump for game two. It was evident from the very beginning with the one exception of the James Brandon solo shot, that it would be yet another quality start from the junior. He ended up throwing seven innings, allowing five hits and three earned runs, and struck out six batters while walking three. He turned the ball over to Spencer Harman who made another relief appearance in crunch time. Harman threw well in the inning but allowed the winning run, but had a huge strikeout in a big spot to help minimize the damage.

Next Up:

UMPI falls to 4-12 overall and 1-9 in conference. They will next travel to Northern Vermont to take on VTSU-Lyndon on Saturday April 19^th for a non-conference doubleheader.