BANGOR, Maine – The Norwich University baseball team took on the University of Maine at Preque Isle in a non-conference doubleheader on Sunday.
The Cadets rallied for a 5-4 walkoff win in extra innings in game one while the Owls took game two 9-5 in 10 innings.
In game one Norwich jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI groundout by junior infielder Drew Caldwell (Hanover, Mass.) that scored senior outfielder LaShawn Thomas (San Antonio, Texas).
The Owls responded with two runs in the top of the second to take a 2-1 lead before the Cadet bats rallied for two more runs in the bottom of the third.
Senior first baseman Billy Whaley (Northfield, Vt.) lifted a two-out, two-run double to centerfield that scored senior infielder Matt Sirois (Southington, Conn.) and sophomore outfielder Kevin Lynch (Randolph, Mass.) and gave Norwich a 3-2 lead.
Presque Isle responded with two runs in the top of the fourth to take a 4-3 lead.
The score remained the same entering the bottom of the seventh inning before senior catcher Brandon Pedley (Northfield, Vt.) ledoff with a single. A sacrifice and groundout later junior pinch-hitter Leland Goodenough (Brookfield, Vt.) delivered a clutch RBI single to center to tie the game 4-4.
Pedley wasn't done as he came through with a two-out, walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth inning that scored Lynch to win the game for the Cadets.
Sophomore Jake Ryan (Arlington, Mass.) picked up the win for Norwich after a stellar outing in relief. He tossed four perfect innings, allowing no hits or walks and striking out five batters. He improves to 1-2 on the season.
Sophomore Matt Paze (Carlisle, Mass.) started on the mound for the Cadets and pitched well despite not factoring into the decision. He allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks over four innings of work. He struck out four batters.
In game two the Owls staked themselves a 1-0 lead after an inning of play before the Cadet bats struck back in the bottom of the second.
Junior Eddie Gates (Griswold, Conn.) ledoff the frame with a double to left field. One out later Pedley was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Sophomore shortstop Mike Lesco (Somers, Conn.) then sacrificed to put both runners in scoring position. Freshman outfielder Oliver Brown (Waldoboro, Maine) stepped to the plate and ripped a two-run double to left, making it a 2-1 game.
Presque Isle responded with two runs in the top of the third to take a 3-2 lead but Norwich responded again in the bottom of the frame.
Caldwell singled with one out and freshman Eamon Smith (Rollinsford, N.H.) followed with a line drive double to right. Gates then launched a triple to center that plated both runners and gave the Cadets a 4-3 lead. Gates then scored on a groundout by Lynch to make it 5-3.
The Owls rallied for two runs in the top of the fifth to tie the game 5-5, where it would remain until the 10th inning. Presque Isle scored four in the top of the 10th and Norwich couldn't respond in the bottom of the inning.
Freshman Nick Landis (South Berwick, Maine) took the loss for the Cadets to fall to 0-1 on the season. He allowed four runs (all earned) on four hits in 2 and 2/3 innings of work. He walked one batter and struck out one.
The Cadets now stand at 5-11 on the season. Norwich is next in action on Saturday, April 1st at St. Joseph's College (Maine) for its Great Northeast Athletic Conference opener. The games are set for 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
