GORHAM – Dustin Stanton pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings in relief as the University of Southern Maine captured the Little East Conference baseball championship with a 6-1 win Sunday over Plymouth State.

It was the second win of the day for the top-seeded Huskies (27-17), who beat Keene State 2-1 to advance to the final game. USM earned the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament by winning four straight after dropping its opener in the double-elimination conference tournament.

Stanton relieved starter Logan Carman in the third inning and held Plymouth State (20-22) to four hits the rest of the way. He struck out four and walked none.

Forrest Chadwick hit a sacrifice fly during a three-run third inning, then singled home two more runs in the fourth as USM opened a 6-1 lead.

Chadwick also was the offensive hero fo Sunday’s first game. He lined a sharp single to right field to drive home Tucker White with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth.

USM pitcher Ben Ives (9-0) allowed only one unearned run on three hits while striking out 10.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.