AUBURNDALE, Florida - The University of Maine at Farmington dropped a pair to Alfred University on Sunday on day two of the RussMatt Invitational. Farmington fell in Game 1, 13-4, before dropping Game 2, 12-6.
Game One | 13-4 Alfred
In the game's opening frame, Alfred took an early lead as Ashton Colunio secured a run through a bases-loaded walk. The Beavers quickly responded in their half of the inning. Ike Wrigley initiated the offense with a double, and Nate Coombs (Thomaston, Maine) brought him home with a sacrifice fly to even the score. The Saxons surged ahead in the second inning, adding four runs, highlighted by Nolan Pridmore's three-run blast, pushing their lead to 5-1.
The momentum continued for Alfred as they added three runs in the third inning off four hits and another in the fourth to stretch their lead to 9-1. The onslaught persisted into the fifth inning, where they capitalized on four singles to push three more runs across, increasing the lead to 12-1.
On the mound, Alfred's starter Alex Beaird delivered a solid performance, pitching six innings with one earned run allowed and eight strikeouts.
In a display of resilience, the Beavers showed heart in the bottom of the seventh. Jameson Bloch, hit by a pitch, advanced to third on Ryan Sargent's double and scored on an error. Sargent scored on a wild pitch, and Tyler Rosa added a run with a sacrifice fly, narrowing the gap. Despite their efforts, the Beavers fell 13-4 in the first game of the doubleheader.
Leaders at the Plate - Farmington:
Leaders at the Plate - Alfred:
- Nolan Pridmore: 3-for-4 with a three-run home run.
- Will Tompano: 2-for-4, including a double, a run scored, and an RBI.
On the Mound - Farmington:
- Jameson Bloch suffered the loss after pitching two innings, giving up six earned runs on six hits.
- Jackson Joyce threw a scoreless inning in relief, striking out one.
On the Mound - Alfred:
- Alex Beaird claimed the victory, lasting six innings and recording eight strikeouts.
Game Two | 12-6 Alfred
After trailing for the entirety of Game 1, the Beavers got on the scoreboard early in Game 2. Sargent ripped a one-out single to center field to start a mini rally for the Beavers. After Coombs reached on an error, moving Sargent over to third, a wild pitch allowed Sargent to score for the early lead.
Three straight singles from Paul Vachon (Brookline, N.H.), Colby Lewis (Blue Hill, Maine), and Greyson Bell (Las Vegas, Nev.) loaded the bases with nobody out to start the second inning. After a strikeout, Wrigley hit into a fielder's choice to push across a run. Bloch flew out in the next at-bat, and Farmington had to settle for just one run.
The Saxons scored three in the bottom of the second, taking their first lead of the game. Colunio ripped a double to put two in scoring position with nobody out to start the inning. A wild pitch and a sacrifice fly created the first two runs of the inning for Alfred, tying the game. Benjamin Croote delivered a two-out RBI double, putting the Saxons ahead 3-2.
Sargent continued his hot day at the plate, tying the game back up in the top of the third with a deep home run to straightaway right field. After Vachon walked and stole second, Lewis delivered an RBI single to help Farmington reclaim a one-run lead.
The lead didn't last long, as Noah Madueno ripped an RBI double and then later scored on a wild pitch, putting the lead back in favor of the Saxons.
The speed of Wrigley helped the Beavers manufacture a run in the top of the fourth, knotting the game up at five apiece. Wrigley singled, stole second and third, and then came in to score on an RBI groundout from Sargent.
The game started to get away from Farmington in the bottom of the fourth as the Saxons scored four runs on just one hit. The Saxons drew four walks and were hit by a pitch, while Pridmore delivered an RBI double in the inning, making it 9-5 through four.
Jonny Pruett (Waterford, Maine) delivered an RBI single to left in the fifth as the Beavers got one back.
Walks continued to hurt the Beavers in the bottom of the sixth, as a bases-loaded walk allowed another run to score. Will Tompano followed by plating two more with an RBI single of his own, supplying the insurance in the Saxons' 12-6 win.
Leaders at the Plate - Farmington:
- Sargent went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored, and two RBIs to lead the Beavers offensively.
- Vachon went 2-for-3 with three runs scored.
- Wrigley and Lewis each contributed with two hits.
Leaders at the Plate - Alfred:
- Madueno went 2-for-4 with a double, two runs scored, and a pair of RBIs.
- Pridmore contributed with two doubles, two runs scored, and a walk.
On the Mound - Farmington:
- Sam Wrigley (Farmington, Maine) took the loss, going 2.1 innings, surrendering five runs on five hits while walking two.
- Maddox Santone (Fairfield, Maine) made his collegiate debut, hurling 0.2 innings and striking out a pair.
On the Mound - Alfred:
- Derek Vlieststra picked up the win on the mound, going 5.0 innings, giving up six runs (four earned) on ten hits and striking out seven.
UP NEXT:
The Beavers return to action on Tuesday for a doubleheader against Martin Luther. First pitch of Game 1 is scheduled for 2:30 PM.
