The Owls fell to the Wentworth Institute of Technology in both games of their doubleheader 15-0 and 8-4. Presque Isle slips to 2-5 on the season with both losses.
In the first game, Wentworth sophomore pitcher Mo Gardner was too much for the Owls to handle, as he allowed only four hits, striking out four batters and walking none.
UMPI was led by freshman Jeffrey Ramsdell (Pembroke) who went 2-2 from the plate with two singles. First base player Dave deKay (Hiram) was 1-3 with a second inning double to center field. Chuck Reece (Bath), Josh Biddington (Moncton, N.B.) and AJ Pennartz (Birch Harbor) each collected one hit in the game.
Although Wentworth scored three early runs in the bottom of the first and three more in the fourth, the second game faired better for the Owls. UMPI answered back in the top of the fifth, scoring their first run of the game.
Sophomore Victor Jacques (Gouldsboro) broke out of his hitting slump with a big triple into right center. Chuck Reece followed with an RBI single into right field, plating Jacques.
Wentworth counterattacked in the bottom of the sixth, scoring two more runs on three hits making it an 8-1 ballgame. The Owls rallied in the top of the seventh inning, scoring three runs on three hits, but missed a key opportunity by leaving the bases loaded with an UMPI hitter at the plate.
The Leopards put an end to the Owl rally with a big strikeout to end the game.
Jacques came up big in the inning with a two-run double to center field. Victor finished the game going 2-3 from the plate, with 2 RBIs.
Reece singled twice in the game, earning one RBI. Senior Shane Dupuis (Trenton, N.S.) was a perfect 3-3 from the plate, all base hit singles.
Sophomore Tyler Delaney (Truro, N.S.) pitched five innings, allowing six runs, only four of which were earned. He walked one and struck out two. Freshman Seth Dorr (Hodgdon) pitched the final inning for the Owls, allowing two runs of three hits.
Elie Leads UMPI past St. Joe’s
The University of Maine at Presque Isle baseball team defeated St. Joseph’s College of New York 7-1 on April 2.
The game was played at Roberto Clemente State Park in the Bronx. The park opened in 1973 as the Harlem River Park and was renamed after Clemente, the first Latino-American inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. With the win, UMPI improves to 2-3 on the season.
The game proved to be a pitchers’ duel, as both teams played through five scoreless innings.
UMPI broke the game open in the top of the sixth, scoring two unanswered runs. Freshman Corey Fournier (Bradley) started off the inning with an infield single, and reached second on a stolen base. Senior Chuck Reece (Bath) singled Fournier home with a base hit.
Reece became the winning run for the Owls, scoring off a DJ Charette (Millinocket) RBI fly ball into the outfield.
The Owls secured their win in the top of ninth, scoring five runs off six base hits. Sophomore Tyler Delaney (Truro, N.S.) recorded an RBI single, as did Fournier. Junior Dave deKay (Hiram) had a squeeze sacrifice bunt to also earn an RBI in the game. Overall, the Owls earned seven runs on 13 hits.
Chuck Reece and teammate Corey Fournier finished the game with three hits apiece, and senior Josh Biddington (Moncton, N.B.) helped the Owl cause with two hits.
Junior Brandon Elie (Auburn) pitched a seven-inning shutout, giving up only three hits. He walked three and struck out five batters.
Relief pitcher Shane Dupuis (Trenton, N.S.) saw action in the eighth inning, giving up one unearned run.
DeKay retired the final batter with a strike out to earn the save, his first of the season. St. Joe’s College had one run on four hits.
Brandon Elie
