BENNINGTON, VT – The Mountaineers of Southern Vermont College (14-14) returned to a .500 record after sweeping a doubleheader over the University of Maine at Presque Isle Owls (8-20) on Friday afternoon.  Game one would end up close, with a score of 8-6.  The Mountaineers' offense would take over in game two, giving them a 15-1 victory.

Game 1 – SVC def. UMPI – 8-6

The Owls would have to play from behind in game one as errors in the third and fourth would allow four unearned runs to cross the plate, and put UMPI down 5-0.  Ryan Sanderson (FR, Cow Bay, NS) and Solomon Fast (SO, Phillips, ME) would lead off the UMPI fifth with base hits, as the Owls tried to get back in the game.  Senior Andrew Bartlett (Damariscotta, ME) would drive in the first run with a double into the corner in right field.  Tommy Collins (SR, Pembroke, ME) would follow that with a single to drive in another run.  A ground ball would score Bartlett, but the Mountaineers would get out of the inning without further damage.

SVC would put pressure on the Owls in the bottom of the fifth, putting runners on second and third with no one out.  Anthony Mercuri (JR, Ridge, NY) and Austin Teitelbaum (SO, Westhampton, NY) would come through with back-to-back one out base hits to plate two and give SVC some breathing room.  The Mountaineers would put more pressure on the Owls' defense in the sixth, loading the bases with one out.  An infield single would score one, but UMPI starter Matt Curry (SO, Caribou, ME) would minimize the damage and get out of the inning.

Down five in the seventh, the Owls would draw two walks to start the inning.  Bartlett would find himself in an RBI situation again and take advantage, lifting a fly ball deep to right field that carry over the fence for a three run home run.  SVC would slam the door on the UMPI rally, bringing in senior pitcher Chris Bradt (Ballston Spa, NY), who would get out of the inning with no further damage, despite a defensive error that allowed a baserunner. 

Bartlett would end the game two for three with four RBI.  Brady Rowe (SR, Halifax, NS) ended the game two for four.  Curry would take the loss on the mound despite a strong effort, giving up just four earned runs in the game and walking just one hitter.

Game 2 – SVC def. UMPI – 15-1

The Mountaineers would take advantage of some more UMPI miscues in the early going.  They would take advantage of three walks, two errors, and one hit by pitch to score six runs on just four hits over the first three innings.  It would be enough to get the SVC offense rolling as they would collect eleven hits over the next four innings, allowing them to run away with the second game.

The Owls would score their lone run in the fifth when Matt Cauchon (SO, Kingston, MA) would lift a sacrifice fly ball to center field to score Saul Nunez (SO, Mapleton, ME).  UMPI was not able to take advantage of their other opportunities, leaving seven on base in the game.

Collins would go two for two with a walk and Curry would end the game going two for three. 

The Owls will travel to Orono, ME on Tuesday and face NCAA Division 1 University of Maine in a single game.  First pitch is schedule for 4 PM.