WATERVILLE, ME

UMPI got to action in the cold weather states for the first time this year when they travelled to Waterville to play a four game conference series with Thomas. The Owls sputtered offensively in game one, but bounced back in a big way in game two, capitalizing on a six-run inning to force a doubleheader split.

Game 1: 7-1 Terriers

The Owls bats simply could not heat up in game one as they finished with just three hits over the nine inning contest. Thomas However, wasn't much better, but they were able to manufacture their way to a comfortable lead in the end. The Terriers scored two in the 2^nd and 4^th innings, while UMPI plated one in the top of the 3^rd, making it a 4-1 Terrier lead near the midway point.

Nothing catastrophic happened on either end, with Thomas scoring one in the 6^th and two more in the 7^th. The Owls were blanked over their final six turns at bat, with the score finishing 7-1. Both teams struggled defensively with UMPI making five errors and Thomas making four. The Terriers were the beneficiaries of those errors more than UMPI was, as four of their seven runs went down as unearned to the Owls' pitchers.

Top Performers:

Just three guys got into the hit column in game one: Mitchell Kley, Hector Perez, and Mason Long all had singles, with Diego Maldonado being credited with the only RBI on a groundout in the 3^rd inning. On the mound, Matthew Pelletier gave another great performance with no offensive support, tossing six solid innings, allowing two earned on just four hits, while striking out three batters across 124 pitches. Seth Espling took the ball for the final two innings, allowing one earned on three hits.

Game 2: 9-5 Owls

As stagnant as UMPI's offense was in game one, they were equally as lively in game two. The Owls exploded for 15 hits – a season high mark by far.

UMPI got off on the right foot this time, scoring in the 1^st inning for the second time on the year, thanks to a two RBI single from Mitchell Kley. Thomas chipped into that however, scoring five runs over their next three at bats, going up 5-2 after four full innings. It was nearing crunch time for UMPI, who have made an unfortunate trend of waiting too long to rally. This day, however, broke that trend in style.

In the 5^th, Maldonado and Kley singled to start the inning for UMPI. Hector Perez reached later on an infield base hit, bringing in Maldonado to make it 5-3. Brock Black continued the hit parade for UMPI with another RBI single to make it a one run ballgame. Later with two outs, Mason Long came through in the clutch with yet another single to left field to tie the game at five. A passed ball right after it, moved everyone up 90 feet and gave UMPI a 6-5 lead. Then on an 0-2 count with runners on second and third, Ronnie Golmon came through with the sixth single of the inning for the Owls, this one a two-RBI knock to make it 8-5.

That lead was all UMPI would need, though they'd tack on one more in the 7^th for good measure when they strung three more singles together. The Owls kept their swings short and were a thorn in Thomas' side all game long. Amazingly, they didn't have a single extra base hit, but the 15 singles were more than enough. On the basepaths, the Owls were a pain as well, stealing five bags, two from Ronnie Golmon, two from Hector Perez, as well as one from catcher, Aiden Toy.

Top Performers:

Mike Langley earned his first college victory with a gutsy complete-game performance. He left everything out there, throwing 118 pitches, allowing five earned runs on nine hits while striking out a pair of Terriers. Langley did his job, throwing enough strikes to get outs while the Owls' defense behind him stood strong.

At the plate, the Owls had three guys with three hits. Ronnie Golmon at the top of the order stayed hot, going 3-5 with two RBI. Hector Perez went 3-4 as well with an RBI and two runs scored, and Mason Long quietly did his thing at the bottom of the order, going 3-4 with two RBI from the nine-spot. Mitchell Kley went 2-4 with 2 RBI, and Aiden Toy also had his first two hits of the year going 2-4.

Up Next:

The Owls improve to 2-4 in conference and 3-8 on the year with the doubleheader split. UMPI gets back to action on Monday morning, as games three and four of the series with Thomas are currently ongoing. They will look for a season series split with the Terriers for the first time ever if they're able to win one of the two games.