Seawolves win 7th straight conference title in walk-off fashion
OLD ORCHARD BEACH, Maine—The Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) baseball team captured its seventh straight Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) championship on Saturday, May 4.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 0 |
|
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 16 | 4 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 4 |
|
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 | X | 12 | 10 | 5 |
OLD ORCHARD BEACH, Maine—The Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) baseball team captured its seventh straight Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) championship on Saturday, May 4.
Prior to the semifinal game, the YSCC All-Conference awards were announced. Both first-years Quinn Dillon (Gorham, Maine) and Peter Keblinksy (Ellsworth, Maine) were selected—Dillon was named the 2024 Player of the Year. Sophomore Gabe Aucoin (Bath, Maine) and junior Liam Cooledge (Westbrook, Maine) were announced as Honorable Mention nominees. To finish the ceremony, Head Coach Nic Lops was voted 2024 Coach of the Year for the third straight season.
Semifinal Game vs. NHTI: W, 12-9
Sophomore Thomas Knott (Winterport, Maine) made the start for SMCC throwing 5.1 innings to allow five runs, four earned, while striking out six.
Trailing 5-4, the Seawolves used two doubles and a single to produce three runs in the sixth inning. The Lynx reclaimed the lead in the seventh with three of their own before SMCC responded with five runs in the bottom half to secure a victory. Aucoin offered one inning of relief, and first-year Bennett Smith (Falmouth, Maine) recorded the last eight outs to earn the win.
Five players recorded multi-RBI games featuring three from rookie Davis Kibler (Augusta, Maine).
Championship Game vs. YCCC: W, 7-6
The Seawolves started the scoring with two runs in the opening frame, and RBIs from Keblinksy and first-year Brady Wintle (Gorham, Maine). The SMCC bats were quieted while York County posted six runs in the meantime. The Seawolves recovered one run on a sac fly from Dillon in the eighth inning to trail by three going into the ninth.
Down to their final out, the Seawolves started a rally beginning with a RBI double by first-year Adam Rowland (Alberta, Canada). Dillon walked and first-year Brady O'Lone (Fort Myers, Fl.) kept it alive with a RBI single to center. Keblinsky delivered the walk-off double to score two and lift the Seawolves to victory!
First-year starter Jason Libby (Bangor, Maine) tossed eight innings and struck out six; Smith pitched a scoreless ninth inning to be credited the win.
Following the game, Keblinksy was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament and Rowland was tabbed as Offensive Player of the tournament.
The Seawolves finish their season at 28-12 overall.
For the latest on SMCC's athletic programs, log onto GoSMCCSeawolves.com or follow Southern Maine Community College Athletics on Twitter @SMCCseawolves and on Facebook SMCC Seawolves.