Farmington, ME: The SUNY Cobleskill baseball team split a North Atlantic Conference doubleheader at the University of Maine at Farmington on Saturday, April 18, taking the nine-inning opener 10-6 before dropping the nightcap 8-13.
Game One: Tony Woodie went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI as SUNY Cobleskill posted a 10-6 victory over the University of Maine at Farmington in nine innings, claiming the opener of a North Atlantic Conference road doubleheader on Saturday afternoon.
The Fighting Tigers broke open a tight contest with a four-run third inning, then weathered a six-run Farmington fourth to hold on and extend their NAC winning streak. Cobleskill entered the day with a 9-3 conference record and made a strong statement in the opener, collecting 12 hits and drawing eight walks against a pitching staff that cycled through six arms.
Cobleskill struck quickly in the first inning, scoring twice to set the tone.
Ryan Lansing drove in a run on a double and scored later in a two-run frame. Woodie followed with a two-RBI double of his own in the inning as the Tigers built a cushion they would rely on throughout the afternoon.
The third inning proved decisive. Cobleskill exploded for four runs, highlighted by a
Jesus Sarda two-run home run that cleared the bases and chased UMF starter Will Buchholz. Sarda finished the game 2-for-4 with the home run, two RBI, and two runs scored — a breakout performance from the designated hitter spot.
Logan Firment added a two-run ground-rule double in the same frame to push the lead to 7-0.
Farmington answered with a six-run fourth to cut the Cobleskill lead to one, but the Tigers responded in the sixth and seventh to restore breathing room. In the sixth, Woodie singled home a run and
Korin Laurilla added an RBI single to make it 9-6. Freshman
Brandon Rotman delivered an unearned run in the seventh on a single to center, accounting for the final margin.
Woodie was the offensive anchor, finishing 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI while adding a stolen base. His season line continues to stand out across the lineup. Laurilla also contributed a two-hit effort, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, while
Jake Brazzano worked three walks and scored twice out of the second spot in the order.
Reis Brammer started on the mound, working 5.2 innings and allowing six runs while striking out five.
Connor Mulligan relieved and tossed 1.1 innings of scoreless work, and
Evan Balbera closed the final two frames with four strikeouts and no runs allowed, earning the hold that secured the win.
Game Two: Cobleskill could not hold an early lead in the nightcap, surrendering 13 runs in a 13-8 loss to Maine-Farmington that handed the Tigers a split on the day. The Beavers scored in each of the first five innings and the Tigers' bullpen was unable to stop the bleeding after a rocky start.
Woodie continued his dominant day at the plate, launching a three-run home run in the first inning to put Cobleskill ahead 3-0 out of the gate. The right fielder finished the nightcap 2-for-4 with the home run and four RBI, giving him six RBI across the two games combined and further solidifying his place as one of the most dangerous hitters in the NAC.
Firment also went deep in the second game, connecting on a three-run home run in the sixth inning to cut Farmington's lead to 10-8. The left fielder finished 1-for-3 with a walk, three RBI, and a run scored. The back-to-back multi-RBI games from Woodie and Firment were bright spots in an otherwise difficult afternoon for Cobleskill's pitching staff.
Jeffrey Gutierrez went 2-for-3 and scored a run to lead Cobleskill's 11-hit attack in the nightcap, while Brazzano added a two-hit effort at the top of the order. Laurilla chipped in with a hit and a run scored to round out the offense.
Up Next: The series between Cobleskill and Maine-Farmington continues Sunday, April 19 with Games 3 and 4 of the four-game NAC set, both in Farmington, Maine. First pitch for Game 3 is scheduled for 12:00 PM.
