UMBC

Erik Butkiewicz pitched a no-hitter into the ninth inning and became UMBC's all-time strikeouts leader on Sunday in UMBC's 14-1 win.

ORONO, Maine -- UMBC’s Eric Butkiewicz (Plainville, Conn./Plainville) took a no hitter into the bottom of the ninth inning as the Retrievers downed the University of Maine baseball team 14-1 on Sunday afternoon at Mahaney Diamond. Maine was able to break up the no-hit bid with one run and two hits in the ninth, but fell to the Retrievers. The Black Bears fall to 19-10 on the season and 4-2 in America East play. The Retrievers improve to 8-19 on the season and 2-4 in America East play.  With eight strikeouts in the game Butkiewicz solely takes over first place in UMBC’s career strikeouts chart. 

UMBC jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Kyle Wildasin (Hanover, Pa./Southwestern) and Joe Fowler (Wilmington, Del/St. Mark’s) each had two-run singles for the Retrievers. They added to their lead in the top of the second inning with six runs. Alex Laddbush (Clarksburg, Md./Ohio U.) had a grand slam, while Steve Russo (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley) had an RBI double to right field. The Retrievers added three more runs in the top of the fifth inning. Wildasin had an RBI single. Laddbush also had an RBI single as he drove in five runs on the day. UMBC added a run in the top of the sixth inning to extend their lead to 14-0.

Ross Cantara (Biddeford, Maine) broke up Butkiewicz’s no hitter with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning with a single to center field. Greg Creek (Manchester, Maine) followed with a double to center field to put runners on second and third.  Ryan Quintal (Manchester, Maine) drove home Cantara with a sacrifice fly.

Nolan Boike (Arlington, Mass.) started the game for the Black Bears and picks up the loss. Justin Bishop (Mt. Airy, Md.), Scott Robinson (Ajax, Ontario), Jason Weymouth (Charleston, Maine) and Josh Zyskowski (Grand Rapids, Mich.) all saw time on the mound for the Black Bears.

Butkiewicz pitched nine innings for the Retrievers and allowed just one run on two hits. He struck out eight batters in the win. Butkiewicz improves to 3-4 on the season.

UMBC hosts two night games this week, with N.Y. Tech on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. and Maryland on Wednesday at 7 p.m.