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Quintal Grand Slam Leads Maine Past Northeastern, Norton Throws Complete Game Shutout
May 27, 2005 BURLINGTON, Vt.-- Ryan Quintal (Manchester, N.H.) hit a grand slam in the top of the eighth inning to lead Maine to a 12-0 win over Northeastern in the America East Tournament on Friday afternoon. With the win, Maine advanced to the America East Championship game to be played on Saturday, May 28 at noon at Centennial Field in Burlington, Vt. The Black Bears improve to 33-16 on the season with the win. Greg Norton (South Portland) was brilliant on the mound for Maine. He pitched a complete game shutout, allowing just six singles. It is the first complete game shutout of the season for Norton and second of his career. He fanned four batters in the game. It was the fifth shutout of the season for Maine. Norton improves to 9-3 on the season. Maine opened the scoring in the top of the fifth inning. Ray Vallee (Augusta, Maine) drew a walk to lead off the inning. He advanced to second when Joe Hough (West Roxbury, Mass.) grounded out. Greg Creek (Manchester, Maine) singled to right field scoring Vallee. Ryan Quintal (Manchester, N.H.) plated the second run for Maine when he singled up the middle driving home Creek. Maine added to its lead with a run in the top of the sixth inning. Matt McGraw (Burlington, Ontario) was hit by a pitch. Mike Ferriggi (Bellmore, N.Y.) followed with a single to left field and McGraw advanced to second. He advanced to third when Vallee reached on a fielder's choice. Joe Hough followed with a single to left field scoring McGraw. Smith led off the eighth inning with a single to center field. He advanced to second on a wild pitch. McGraw followed and walked. Ferriggi singled to third base to load the bases. Vallee singled to shortstop driving in Smith to give Maine a 4-0 lead. Hough followed with single to right field scoring McGraw. For Hough, it was his second RBI of the game and 34th of the season. Joel Barrett (Brewer, Maine) drew a bases loaded walk forcing home Ferriggi to increase Maine's lead to 6-0. Quintal then put the game out of reach when he homered to left center field giving Maine a 10-0 lead. For Quintal, it was his sixth home run of the season and first grand slam.
Quintal finished the game 3-for-5 with five RBI. He has a team-leading 44 RBI on the season. Maine added two more runs in the top of the ninth inning. Ferriggi led off the inning with a single to left field. Hough reached on a fielder's choice and Ferriggi was safe at second. Creek ripped a double to right field scoring Ferriggi. Hough scored the 12th run for Maine on an error by the right fielder on the play. |
