Bangor, Maine - Behind a strong offensive start and a critical solo home run from
Jeb Burkhart, the Colby College Baseball team secured a 7-5 victory over Eagles of Husson University on Wednesday evening.
Colby established an early lead in the first inning when
Patrick Shrake singled and eventually crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by Burkhart. The Mules extended their advantage in the second frame, adding two more runs.
Duncan Cullinane scored on a sacrifice fly from
Henry Silva, and
Myles Gythfeldt drove in
Marco Zirpolo with an RBI single to right field, pushing the lead to 3-1.
The Mules kept the pressure on in the fourth inning. After Silva reached on a hit-by-pitch and
Patrick Shrake singled, Silva scored on a wild pitch.
Tony Silva then followed with a clutch RBI single through the left side to bring home Shrake, giving Colby a 5-2 cushion.
In the fifth, Burkhart provided some fireworks with a solo home run to left field, his sixth hit of the season. The Mules added their final insurance run in the sixth when
Will Burns singled to right field, scoring Gythfeldt, who had reached on a fielder's choice and advanced on a Husson error.
On the mound,
Kyle Bourque earned the win, tossing 2.2 innings of relief and allowing just one run on two hits.
Sam Lowenstein started the contest for the Mules, striking out three over 2.1 innings. After Husson threatened with a three-run seventh inning to cut the lead to 7-5,
Greg Levin and
Keeler Vogt combined to shut the door. Vogt earned the save, striking out three over the final two innings to preserve the win.
Offensively, Shrake led the way for Colby with a 3-for-5 performance, while
Tony Silva and
Max Diamond each added multiple hits.
With the win, Colby improves to 17-8 on the season. The Mules return to conference play Friday at 4pm as they face Trinity College in the race for first place in the East Division of the NESCAC.