PALM BEACH, Fla. – Long Island University erased a two-run deficit with a five-run uprising in the sixth inning that paved the way to an 8-2 college baseball victory over the University of Maine on Wednesday.

Coach Steve Trimper’s Black Bears, who have lost five straight, finish up the Florida portion of their schedule at 4-7. They now head to Tempe, Ariz., for a four-game series against 14th-ranked Arizona State beginning Friday night.

UMaine led 2-0 going into the bottom of the sixth behind the pitching of Mitch Clegg (1-1), who allowed eight hits and four runs in 5 1/3 innings. However, the Blackbirds (2-7) rallied with five hits, including a two-run home run by James Jones, in the pivotal sixth.

LIU racked up 15 hits, including three apiece from Trey Bell (two doubles,) Greg Desantis and Robert Rowan.

Mike Maynard pitched seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits, to earn the victory for the Blackbirds.

Kevin McAvoy of Brewer rapped a double and a single and drove in both runs for the Bears. Curt Smith, Myckie Lugbauer, and Mart Ostrander stroked doubles.

UMaine grabbed a 1-0 lead in the fourth when Smith led off with a double, advanced on a flyout, and scored on McAvoy’s sacrifice fly.

The Bears made it 2-0 in the sixth when Joel Barrett of Brewer reached on an error and rode home on McAvoy’s double.

Maine (4-7) 000 101 000 – 2 8 0

Long Island (2-7) 000 005 21x – 8 15 1

Clegg, Carroll (6), Balsinde (7) and Lugbauer; Maynard, Dooley (8), Rowan (9) and Etkin

Softball

Maine drops doubleheader

At Jacksonville, Fla., the University of North Florida swept a doubleheader from UMaine by scores of 3-1 and 9-0.

In the first game, Elizabeth Howell’s two-run home run highlighted a three-run fourth inning for the Ospreys, who have won 14 straight at home.

Whitney Spangler singled twice and accounted for Maine’s only RBI. Kristie Hawkins and Tara Vilardo each singled.

In the second game, Christina Evans singled three times to back the shutout pitching of Devyn Findley. Ashley Parenteau smacked a three-run homer for North Florida.

Hawkins led the Black Bears with two singles. Marguerite Soule, Ashley Waters and Stephanie George each added a hit for Maine.

(First Game)

Maine 000 001 0 – 1 4 1

North Florida 000 300 x – 3 5 0

Balent and Foltz; Brosky and Rutenbar

(Second Game)

Maine (13-12) 000 00 – 0 5 1

North Florida (15-12) 450 0x – 9 11 0

McGivney, Balten (2), Montano (3) and Soule; Findley and Rutenbar