Albany, N.Y. - Michael Fransoso was one of three Maine players with three hits, leading the Black Bears to an 18-9 win over UAlbany in America East Conference baseball action on Sunday afternoon at Varsity Field. With the win, Maine completed the three-game series sweep of the Great Danes.

            The Black Bears got on the board first with a single run in the first inning. Maine then tacked on four runs in the third to take a 5-0 lead. Taylor Lewis recorded an RBI triple before Fransoso drove him in on a single into right. Fransoso then scored on an RBI double by Joey Martin, before coming home himself on a wild pitch.

            UAlbany took a 7-5 lead in the bottom of the fourth, cycling through the batting order in the inning. The Great Danes loaded the bases on a hit-by-pitch and two singles, before Greg Muller scored on a passed ball. Mike Tirri came home on a sacrifice fly by Jeff Welsh, while Rob Cervini singled into center to score Josh Nethaway. After D.J. Hoagboon scored on a wild pitch, Nolan Gaige drove a three-run homer over the right field fence to give the Great Danes the lead.

            UAlbany didn't hold onto its two-run advantage for long, as Maine responded with five runs in the top of the fifth. Ian Lesienheimer recorded a two-RBI single, while Troy Black also drove in two runs with a base hit. The Black Bears tacked on two runs in both the sixth and seventh innings, before putting four runs on the board in the top of the eighth. Fransoso wrapped up the scoring for Maine in the eighth, knocking a bases-clearing double to right center to put the Black Bears up, 18-7. UAlbany added single runs in the eighth and ninth, but could not rally any further.

            UAlbany starter Zach Kraham took the loss on the mound, scattering seven hits while striking out four. Stephen Perakslis earned the win for Maine (22-21, AE 12-5), going three and two thirds innings, issuing one strikeout.

            UAlbany (17-25, AE 9-7) will return to action next weekend, hosting UMBC in a four-game America East Conference series.

-agate-

Maine (22-21, AE 12-5)               104       052       240       -           18         19         3

UAlbany (17-25, AE 9-7) 000       700       011       -           9          7          2

            Maine: Stephen Perakslis, Jonathan Balentina (4), Kevin Scanlan (8), D.J. Voisine (9) and Fran Whitten.

            UAlbany: Zach Kraham, Greg Lutton (5), Kevin Cowan (6), Austin Chase (8), Terry McFadden (9) and D.J. Hoagboon.

Maine 18, UAlbany 9 (May 08, 2011)

2011 UAlbany Baseball
Maine at Albany
May 08, 2011 at Albany, N.Y. (Varsity Field)

Score by Innings                    R  H  E
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Maine............... 104 052 240 - 18 19  3
Albany.............. 000 700 011 -  9  7  2
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