Ryan Yates gave the Southern Maine Huskies six strong innings one day after they emptied the bullpen. Photo by Ryan Coleman, d3photography.com

By Jim Dixon
D3sports.com

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. -- After a staff day for Southern Maine in a loss to Linfield, the Huskies needed a strong performance from their starter on Sunday. They got it from Ryan Yates as Southern Maine defeated Webster 7-2 in an elimination game at the 2013 NCAA D-III College World Series.

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Yates went six innings to earn the win, allowing two runs, one earned, on four hits. He walked two and struck out two. Andrew Richards pitched the final three innings for his third save of the year. Richards allowed five hits.

"Yates was the difference today for us," said Southern Maine coach Ed Flaherty. "He pitched like he has done all year and with Logan Carman going down yesterday, we needed a good performance from a veteran."

"We needed to get to their starter who did a great job," said Webster coach Bill Kurich. "They took advantage when they had the chances."

Southern Maine (44-9) opened the scoring with two runs in the third. Andrew Pisani doubled and scored on Sam Dexter's single to center. Dexter scored on John Carey's double to left center.

Webster (37-12) knotted the score with two runs in the fifth. Ian Foege walked and Ryan Hall singled to put runners on first and second. Yates committed an error on Cody Stevenson's sacrifice allowing Foege and Hall to score.

"We knew we were going to break out at some point," said Kurich.

Southern Maine answered Webster right away as Carey's leadoff homer down the left field line made it 4-3. Tucker White doubled and was followed by walks to Forrest Chadwick and Chris Bernard. Matt Verrier's sacrifice fly scored White and Pisani's second double of the day scored Chadwick.

"The home run was real important," said Flaherty. "The way they got the two runs, we did not execute. When you make mistakes, you wonder how your team is going to react and Johnny's home run was the biggest hit of the game."

Southern Maine score a run in each of the final two innings to complete the scoring.

Cody Hafeli took the loss for the Gorloks. Hafeli gave up five runs, all earned on seven hits in 5.1 innings. He walked three batters. Ryan Martinez relieved Hafeli in the sixth inning. Jason Gray took over in the seventh and allowed Southern Maine's final two runs. Brett Buchanan faced one batter in relief of Gray.

Carey provided the punch for the offense with 3-for-5 day with two RBI and a run scored. Pisani had two doubles in four at-bats. Chadwick's four walks tied a D-III College World Series record.

Foege led Webster with three hits. Hall and Mike Rainbolt added two more hits for the Gorloks' offense.

Southern Maine will play on Monday against a team to be determined. Webster ends its season with a second straight 1-2 record in the D-III College World Series.

"It was a tremendous season," said Kurich. "Our eight really special seniors had a great career and it is tough to see the guys go."

"Being able to come back here year after year, I could not ask for more," said senior first baseman Mike Rainbolt. "

"No matter what, this season ended up positively," added Kurich. "You knew we were going to walk off with the regional trophy although a bigger one would have been better."

Southern Maine news conference

Webster news conference