Sanford’s Connor Tate swings at a pitch during the Mainer’s 12-3 win over the Ocean State Waves in the opening game of a doubleheader at Goodall Field in Sanford. Tate went 3 for 4 with two RBIs.

SANFORD — After the Ocean State Waves took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning off Sanford starter Darren Williams in the finale of a doubleheader at Goodall Park on Friday, the right-hander felt he needed to pitch with more of an edge.

It turns out pitching with an edge works out for Williams, as he went seven strong innings, allowing one run on three hits and a walk while striking out eight.

The only problem was that Ocean State’s pitching was slightly better. The Waves pitching held the Mainers to one run on three hits, and Will McGillis scored the go-ahead run on Joe Simone’s sacrifice fly in the eighth as Ocean State beat Sanford 2-1 to salvage a split of a doubleheader in a NECBL baseball game.

“I was really beside myself in the dugout, and I just finished with a vengeance and just went after guys,” Williams said. “ I pitched mad.”

After allowing an RBI single from Xavier Vargas in the second, Williams locked in over the next five innings and retired the final 12 batters he faced. Seven of his eight strikeouts came over the first five innings, with his offspeed pitches setting the tone.

“I was able to get both of my breaking balls in the zone,” said Williams. “When you get two breaking pitches over her strikes, and I had my fastball working inside and out, it makes it tough for hitters.”

The Mainers (5-7) evened the score in the fourth off Ocean State starter Nick Robinson. Drew DeMartino led off the inning with a double to right, advanced to third on a fielder’s choice, then scored on a sacrifice fly from Nick Howie.

Sanford starter Darren Williams delivers a pitch in the Mainer’s second game of a doubleheader against the Ocean State Waves Friday night. Williams pitched seven strong innings, but the Waves scored the go-ahead run in the eighth on their way to a 2-1 win.

That was all Sanford would get, however, and Ocean State (6-7) took advantage of starting extra innings with a man on second base as McGillis stole third base, then scored on Simone’s sacrifice fly. Sanford was shutdown in order in the bottom of the inning by reliever Billy Creger, who pitched three scoreless innings to get the win.

Despite a sluggish offensive showing in the nightcap, the Mainers’ bats came alive in the opener.

Connor Tate had three hits, DeMartino added two with four RBI and the Mainers used sent 10 men to the plate in a six-run third inning to cruise to a 12-3 win.

Five different players had at least two hits for Sanford, which also took advantage of 10 walks by Ocean State pitching. Having players all over the lineup chip in offensively brought a smile to DeMartino’s face.

“It was awesome to see other guys barreling the baseball,” DeMartino said. “They all had great approaches against that kid and I was happy with our offense overall today. We put in good swings.”

Ocean State starter Trevor Pittman walked three straight batters after getting the first out to start the third. Pittman was then replaced by Monty Horn, who promptly let up consecutive singles from Sterling Hayes and Tate to make it 6-1. An error from McGillis and a wild pitch brought in two more runs before Nick Howie ripped a single up the middle, scoring Tate, to make it 9-1.

That’s all Sanford starter Jake Noviello would need. Noviello allowed three runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out four in six innings to earn his first win of the season. With the way the offense broke out, DeMartino hopes games like the opener come more often as the season goes on.

“It’s so much fun when everybody’s scoring and everybody’s having a good time,” DeMartino said.  “When guys are throwing well and our hitters are hitting well, it just makes the game so much more enjoyable.”

UP NEXT: Sanford heads to Martha’s Vineyard to face the Sharks (5-5) Saturday at 6:30 p.m.