GORHAM — Janek Luksza hit an RBI double in the bottom of the 18th inning as the University of Southern Maine baseball team beat Colby College 2-1 on Tuesday evening.
After 12 scoreless innings, the Huskies (16-16) were finally able to end the game. Jonathan Wilson started the rallied with a walk and Brogan Searle-Belanger followed with a single. With one out, Luksza doubled to right field to end it.
Colby (17-11) threatened in the top of the 18th, putting runners on first and third with one out, but Cam Seymour was able to work out of the jam and keep it a 1-0 game.
The Huskies took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning on an RBI single by Wilson. Brady O’Brien hit a solo home run in the fifth inning for Colby to tie it.
Lucas Francis pitched 8 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to earn the win for Southern Maine. Clay Robbins started and allowed one run on five hits, while striking out nine and walking two in seven innings. Seymour pitched 2 1/3 no-hit innings, striking out three and walking one.
Colby used nine pitchers.
SOFTBALL
SOUTHERN MAINE SWEEPS PLYMOUTH STATE: Kaitlyn Nelson had six hits, scored six runs and drove in a pair of runs as the Huskies (20-13, 11-3 LEC) swept the Panthers (12-19, 6-8) in a doubleheader, 7-2 and 10-2, in Gorham.
Nelson was 3 for 4 with three runs scored in each game of the doubleheader. Lauren Leidemann-Smith was 3 for 4 with five RBI in the second game. She also had two hits and two RBI in the first game.
WOMEN’S LACROSSE
ST. JOSEPH’S 14, COLBY-SAWYER 8: Lydia Dexter scored eight goals as the Monks (17-0, 13-0 GNAC) cruised to a win over the Chargers (11-5, 8-5) in New London, New Hampshire.
Carson Battaglia added two goals, while Brianna Paul, Megan Mourmouras, Teegan Gilreath and Bridget Collins each added one goal for St. Joseph’s.
MEN’S LACROSSE
ST. JOSEPH’S 11, ANNA MARIA 7: Timothy Goodfellowe had two goals and two assists as the Monks (5-12, 3-7 GNAC) beat the Amcats (5-11, 3-7) in Paxton, Massachusetts.
Calvin Heline, Max Lacy, Xavier Michaud and Nathan Varle each added two goals for St. Joseph’s.
PLYMOUTH ST. 15, SOUTHERN MAINE 9: Crosby Fay had five goals and an assist, and Mike Fleury added a hat trick as the Panthers (7-9, 4-4 LEC) beat the Huskies (3-10, 1-7) in Plymouth, New Hampshire.
Schuyler Wetmore had four goals and three assists for USM.
NOTES
NCAA: NCAA President Mark Emmert is stepping down after 12 tumultuous years of leading an association that has become marginalized while college sports has undergone massive changes and been besieged by political and legal attacks.
NCAA Board of Governors Chairman John DeGioia announced the move Tuesday and said it was by mutual agreement. Emmert will continue to serve in his role until a new president is place or until June 30, 2023.
“Throughout my tenure I’ve emphasized the need to focus on the experience and priorities of student-athletes,” Emmert said in a release from the NCAA. “I am extremely proud of the work of the association over the last 12 years and especially pleased with the hard work and dedication of the national office staff here in Indianapolis.”
The announcement comes one day short of exactly one year ago when the board approved a contract extension for Emmert that ran through the 2025, a move that left many in college sports bewildered.
Emmert was appointed to the job in April 2010. He had led the University of Washington and LSU prior to taking over at the NCAA.
The job has changed radically since then. Last year, the Supreme Court handed the NCAA a devastating loss and last summer the NCAA itself – facing a growing number of state laws – ushered in one of the biggest changes in the history of college athletics by clearing the way for athletes to earn endorsement money.
With that context, NCAA member schools adopted a new constitution in January and are in the process of “transforming the structure and mission to meet future needs.”
“With the significant transitions underway within college sports, the timing of this decision provides the association with consistent leadership during the coming months plus the opportunity to consider what will be the future role of the president,” DeGioia said. “It also allows for the selection and recruitment of the next president without disruption.”
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