Central Maine CC captures YSCC Baseball Championship in 13-inning thriller

OLD ORCHARD BEACH, Maine (YSCC) – A marathon showdown capped the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) Baseball Championship on Saturday, as Central Maine Community College edged Southern Maine Community College 7-6 in 13 innings to claim the conference title.

The Mustangs scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 13th, ending an epic back-and-forth contest that featured late-inning rallies, lead changes, and standout performances on both sides.

SMCC jumped out to an early lead, scoring four runs by the fourth inning, including a two-run single by Tyler Herkalo in the third. Herkalo finished the game 3-for-5, notching base hits in the third, fourth, and eleventh innings.

CMCC responded late, scoring three in the eighth with RBI singles from Brendan Mahaney, Zac Gorman, and Logan Carpenter to take a 5-4 lead. SMCC responded in the top of the ninth, Alex Bean's RBI single helped the SeaWolves send the game to extra innings. The two teams traded runs again in the 11th—SMCC scoring on an error and CMCC responding with a game-tying RBI single from Brandon Gour.

Pitching played a key role in the extra frames. Lee Robertson earned the win for CMCC with four innings of relief, allowing just one unearned run on one hit while striking out two. Starter Kyle Delano was strong through nine innings, striking out nine and scattering 10 hits. SMCC starter Garrett McLeod struck out six over seven innings, allowing just two earned runs.

In the bottom of the 13th, CMCC pieced together a patient and pressure-filled rally. Lee Robertson led off with a walk, then advanced to second on a passed ball. A bunt by Gour resulted in a fielder's choice, with Robertson moving to third. After a single by H. Durrell moved Gour to third, SMCC issued an intentional walk to load the bases with one out, and the winning run was just 90 feet away. A wild pitch during T. McFarland's at-bat allowed Gour to sprint home and seal the 7-6 walk-off victory for the Mustangs.

Both teams collected 11 hits. Zach Oliver and Quinn Dillon had multiple hits for SMCC, while Robertson led CMCC with a 3-for-5 performance from the nine spot. Gour also added two walks, and CMCC drew seven free passes overall.

With the win, CMCC secures the 2025 YSCC baseball title.

As YSCC champions, CMCC now receives an automatic bid to the USCAA Small College World Series in DuBois, Pennsylvania.