Baseball is one of the most popular sports in America and has been around for over a century. While it is typically played in under 3 hours, there have been some incredibly long games that have lasted for days or even weeks. The longest college baseball game ever played was a 33-inning game between the University of Massachusetts Lowell and the University of Maine that lasted for 7 hours and 3 minutes.
Background
The game took place on March 30, 2009 at UMass Lowell’s LeLacheur Park. UMass Lowell was the home team, and the game was part of the America East Conference. The teams played 33 innings, which is the equivalent of nearly 9 full games. The game ended in the 33rd inning with a score of 6-5 in favor of the University of Maine.
The Teams Involved
The University of Massachusetts Lowell was led by head coach Ken Harring and had a record of 13-6 going into the game. The team was led by senior catcher and team captain Jeff Natale, who went 4-for-13 with four RBIs in the game. UMass Lowell also had a strong pitching staff, led by junior pitcher Jon Aquilino.
The University of Maine was led by head coach Steve Trimper and had a record of 11-4 going into the game. The team was led by senior pitcher and team captain Joe Miller, who pitched the entire 33 innings and allowed just seven earned runs. Maine also had a strong offense, led by senior first baseman and team captain Chris Pomroy, who went 3-for-14 with three RBIs in the game.
The Game
The game started at 2:30 PM and lasted until 9:33 PM. The teams combined for 55 hits, 33 walks, and 37 strikeouts throughout the game. Each team scored in the first inning, but neither team was able to score again until the 14th inning when UMass Lowell scored three runs to take a 5-2 lead. Maine was able to tie the game in the bottom of the 14th inning and the teams remained tied until the 33rd inning when Maine scored the winning run to secure the 6-5 victory.
The Players
The game featured some incredible performances from both teams. Joe Miller, the Maine pitcher, was the star of the game. He pitched all 33 innings and allowed just seven earned runs on 32 hits and nine walks while striking out 10 batters. Jeff Natale, the UMass Lowell catcher, was also impressive as he went 4-for-13 with four RBIs. Chris Pomroy, the Maine first baseman, was also impressive as he went 3-for-14 with three RBIs.
The Longest College Baseball Game Ever Played
The game between the University of Massachusetts Lowell and the University of Maine was the longest college baseball game ever played. It lasted for seven hours and three minutes and featured 33 innings of play. The teams combined for 55 hits, 33 walks, and 37 strikeouts. Joe Miller was the star of the game as he pitched all 33 innings and allowed just seven earned runs on 32 hits and nine walks while striking out 10 batters. Jeff Natale and Chris Pomroy also had impressive performances as they combined for seven hits and seven RBIs.
The Impact of the Game
The game between the University of Massachusetts Lowell and the University of Maine was an instant classic and it has been talked about for years. The game was unlike anything that had been seen before, and it showed the dedication and resilience of both teams. The game also highlighted the importance of having a strong pitching staff, as Joe Miller was able to pitch the entire game and lead his team to victory.
The Aftermath
Following the game, both teams received a lot of recognition for their efforts. Joe Miller was named the America East Pitcher of the Week and Jeff Natale was named the America East Player of the Week. The game also received a lot of media attention and was featured in Sports Illustrated, ESPN, and other major outlets.
Conclusion
The University of Massachusetts Lowell and the University of Maine played the longest college baseball game ever played on March 30, 2009. The teams combined for 55 hits, 33 walks, and 37 strikeouts throughout the game and it lasted for seven hours and three minutes. Joe Miller was the star of the game as he pitched all 33 innings and allowed just seven earned runs on 32 hits and nine walks while striking out 10 batters. The game highlighted the importance of having a strong pitching staff and it was an instant classic that has been talked about for years.