SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Southern Maine shortstop Andrew Olszak went 4-for-5 with two RBI to lead the second-seeded Huskies to a 5-3 victory over fifth-seeded Castleton in Game 2 of the NCAA Division III Baseball New York Regional, hosted by Onondaga Community College.
Castleton (34-9) got things going with a run in the top of the first inning. Center fielder Deagan Poland drew a lead-off walk and stole second before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Third-baseman Zach Behan drove a ball over the second baseman's head to bring Poland home.
Southern Maine (31-11) responded in the bottom half of the inning on three-consecutive singles. Right fielder Zach Quintal singled through the left side of the infield before Olszak dropped a base hit down the first-base line. Designated hitter Dylan Hapworth then singled to left field to plate Quintal from second.
The teams played scoreless into the top of the fifth inning before heavy rains and lightning caused a stoppage of play. After nearly a three-hour delay, Matt Correale came out of the bullpen for Southern Maine, inheriting a runner on first with no outs. Castleton catcher Jonathan Lindau, who had reached on a single to left before the delay, advanced to third on back-to-back wild pitches. Shortstop Jordan Bailey walked but was doubled off after a line-out to first base, however, center fielder Deagan Poland followed with an RBI single up the middle.
Southern Maine once again responded with a run in the bottom half of the inning. Center fielder Devin Warren singled up the middle, but was forced out at second on a ground-out by Quintal. Olszak singled up the middle as Quintal hustled to third. With two outs, Olszak stole second before catcher Kip Richard was awarded first base on catcher's interference to load the bases. Third baseman Matt Bender knocked an infield single that deflected off pitcher Devin Hayes to bring Quintal in for the tying run and chase Hayes, who was the Spartans' original starter.
Southern Maine took a 4-2 lead in the bottom sixth. First baseman Andrew Hillier singled to short center before Warren followed suit two batters later. After Quintal drew a walk to load the bases, Olszak singled up the middle to plate two runs.
Castleton got one back in the seventh inning, starting with a lead-off walk by second baseman Matt Jackson. Lindau followed with an opposite-field single to right that allowed Jackson to advance to third. Jackson came across on a Bailey ground-out to make it a one run game, 4-3.
The Huskies took a 5-3 edge in the bottom of the seventh. Left fielder Paul McDonough drew a two-out walk and stole second before coming around on an RBI double to the left center field wall by Hillier.
Correale (6-4) earned the victory, allowing two hits and a run in two innings of work following the weather delay. Relief pitcher Jake Dexter closed the game with three innings of no-hit work, striking out five to earn his 12th save of the year.
Southern Maine advances to play again on Friday (May 19) at 6:00 p.m., and will take on the winner of tonight's third game between third-seeded The College of New Jersey and fourth-seeded Tufts. Castleton will take on Ithaca, who fell to top-seeded Oswego, 11-10, in the day's first game, on Friday at 11:00 a.m. in an elimination contest.