Matt Verrier's three-run homer helped Southern Maine break the game wide open. Photo by Larry Radloff, d3photography.com

By Jim Dixon
D3sports.com

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. – Southern Maine rediscovered its batting stroke on Monday as it defeated UW-Stevens Point 8-1 at the 2013 NCAA D-III College World Series. 

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Entering the game with a .206 team batting average, the Huskies recorded eleven hits, four for double and a home run by Matt Verrier, to earn a date on Tuesday to play the winner of the Linfield-Ithaca game.

“The three-run home run loosened the team up,” said Southern Maine head coach Ed Flaherty. “It takes hits like this to get your team going.”

UW-Stevens Point (41-11) opened the scoring with an unearned run in the fourth. Ryan Schilter reached on a fielding error by the Southern Maine third baseman. Schilter stole second and moved to third on a fly out before coming home on a Jimmy Coady single up the middle.

Southern Maine (45-9) answered right back with five runs. Sam Dexter opened the home half of the fourth with a single. Two batters later, Tucker White single to center, plating Dexter. White sped home on Forrest Chadwick’s double. Chris Bernard was hit by a pitch before Verrier’s home run to left, his fourth of the year.

“Once we started getting runners on and the home run happened, it seemed like every one was going up with aggressive swings,” said Verrier. “

Southern Maine added two more in the fifth and one in the sixth to increase their lead to 8-1. White’s fifth inning single plated Troy Thibodeau and Dexter. Verrier drove in his fourth RBI of the game with double to center, scoring Bernard.

Southern Maine got a complete game performance from Tyler Leavitt. Leavitt allowed a single run on four hits. He walked three and struck out two.

“We needed this performance by Tyler,” said Flaherty. “He has been one of those guys coming along and getting better and better. If we keep getting pitching like we did today, we will not be needing the bats.”

UW-Stevens Point starter, Max Frederick took the loss. He allowed five runs on the five hits. Frederick did not allow a walk and struck out one batter. Brad Stroik, Nick Prebelski, and Luke Watson each pitched in relief for the Pointers.

Verrier was one of four Southern Maine batters with multiple hits. Verrier had a double and a home run, driving in four runners. White, Bernard, and Thibodeau each had two hits for the Huskies. Dexter and Bernard score twice.

Dan Douglas extended his program record for career hits with two singles on the day to lead the Pointers. Coady had the lone RBI.

UW-Stevens Point ends its season with two losses inthe last 24 hours.

UW-Stevens Point ends its season with two losses in the last 24 hours.

"Southern Maine took advantage of some opportunities when we did not make pitches in thr fourth inning," said UW-Stevens Point head coach Pat Bloom. "For times this season, [the big inning] has been our Achilles heel. Despite the way we feel now, they will be proud of having the opportunity to compete for the ultimate goal."

"We preach the Pointers way," said senior catcher Schilter. "We teach the underclassmen the same thing. Just be tough, try hard, and play baseball the right way."

"This is one of the funest years," said senior shortstop Dan Douglas. "It has been an unbelievable year with a great group of good guys. I've enjoyed being around our teammates whether on the field or not."

Southern Maine postgame news conference

UW-Stevens Point postgame news conference