UMaine’s Coombs stifles Providence

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Starting pitcher Steve Coombs pitched seven innings of four-hit, shutout ball to lead the University of Maine to a 5-1 baseball win over Providence College here Friday.

Coombs strick out seven in his stint, then gave way to reliever Brad Veilleux, who struck out three batters in his two innings to earn his first save.

The Black Bears, 7-21, built a 5-0 lead before surrendering a single run after Providence loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the ninth. The Friars dropped to 16-9.

Senior shortstop Todd Livingston made his return to the lineup after an early-season injury to his left knee, batting twice as the designated hitter. However, Livingston left the game in the fourth inning when the knee began to bother him.

Dan Catlin scored the first Maine run after reaching base on a walk and advancing to third on two consecutive groundouts. Catcher John Ellis brought him in with a double into the gap in right-center.

In the fifth, the Bears struck for two more off Providence starter James O’Brien. Catlin walked, Nick Caiazzo hit a hard shot that the shortstop couldn’t handle, and Steve Puleo singled to center to load the bases. Catlin then scored on a wild pitch, and Matt Huff drove in Caiazzo with a groundout to second.

O’Brien settled down and retired 10 straight batters after that, but the Bears got two more in the ninth.

Veilleux nearly worked out of the bases loaded jam in the ninth, striking out Corey Bike and Ned Babyak. Kevin Burke did single in a run, but Veilleux got a game-ending groundout to end the rally.

Puleo stroked two singles for the Bears, while Ryan Kinski had two base hits for the Friars.

On Saturday and Sunday, the Bears will take on Boston University for two North Atlantic Conference doubleheaders, both starting at noon. Saturday’s games will be at Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass., and Sunday’s at MIT in Cambridge, Mass.

BU is 0-10 with an 0-6 league mark. The Terriers look to Jonathan Cahalane (.455), John Harley (.433), Joe Spano (.300) and Chris Aufiero for offense.

The Terriers’ pitching staff has been weak and Maine will likely face Kirk Svartstrom (7.71 ERA), Mike Anselmo (3.10), Mike Greaney (9.24) and Troy Modlin (9.00).

The Terriers scored 23 runs last weekend against Drexel, but managed only two in two losses to Northeastern earlier this week.

Four Maine victories would put the Bears in great position to challenge Delaware for NAC honors, as their remaining 16 league games are all at home.

Bears 5, Friars 1

Maine Providence

Name ab r h bi Name ab r h bi

Lvngstn, dh 2 0 0 0 Lyons, cf 5 0 1 0

Ballard, dh 3 0 1 0 Tucci, lf 3 0 0 0

Poliztti, pr 0 1 0 0 Tomey, dh 4 0 0 0

Catlin, 2b 2 2 0 0 O’Toole, c 2 1 0 0

Caizzo, rf 3 1 1 0 Dlvchio, 3b 4 0 1 0

Puleo, lf 5 0 2 1 Kinski, ss 4 0 2 0

Longo, lf 0 0 0 0 Bike, 1b 4 0 1 0

Ellis, c 5 0 1 2 Vafiades, rf 2 0 0 0

Huff, cf 5 0 1 1 Babyak, rf 2 0 0 0

Jolliffe, 1b 2 0 1 0 Palmieri, 2b 2 0 1 0

Trahan, 3b 3 0 0 0 Garside, ph 0 0 0 0

Ando, ss 4 1 1 0 Casimro, 2b 0 0 0 0

Burke, ph 1 0 1 1

Totals 34 5 8 4 Totals 33 1 7 1

Maine 001 020 002 – 5

Providence 000 000 001 – 1

E – Catlin; Delvecchio 2B – Ellis; Delvecchio, Kinski LOB – Maine 10, Providence 9 DP – Maine 1, Providence 0 SB – Ellis, Huff, Jolliffe S – Catlin, Trahan

Pitching Summary

PITCHER IP H R ER BB SO

Maine

Coombs (W, 1-2) 7 4 0 0 1 7

Veilleux (S, 1) 2 3 1 0 3 3

Providence

O’Brien (L, 2-4) 9 8 5 4 6 4

WP – Coombs; O’Brien