University of Maine
Harvard
Softball Edged by Harvard 3-2
3/11/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. -- A late rally came up just short on Sunday afternoon as the University of Maine softball squad fell by a score of 3-2 to Harvard. The loss drops Maine to 4-16 on the season while the Crimson move to 7-3. Dagmar Ralphs (O'Fallon, Ill.) and Hilary Kane (Concord, N.H.) each drove in a run for Maine while Jessica Burk (Warrenton, Va.) went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles.
Harvard and Maine engaged in a pitcher's duel as the game remained scoreless through four innings of play until the Crimson took a 2-0 lead in the top of the fifth. Ashley Heritage started the rally with a double down the left field line before Stephanie Regan traded places with Heritage on a double into left field. Jane Alexander followed by driving in Regan on a single up the middle.
The Crimson tacked on an important insurance run in the top of the sixth as Adrienne Hume's one out double allowed Eve Rosenbaum to score from second.
The Black Bears answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth. Lindsey Jenkins (Greenwich, Conn.) began the inning by reaching on an error before advancing to second on a single from Kristen Koslosky (Castro Valley, Calif.). Jenkins and Koslosky each advanced a base on a wild pitch before Ralphs grounded out to second, allowing Jenkins to score and Koslosky to move up to third. Kane followed with a single up the middle, plating Koslosky and bringing the Black Bears within a run.
However, despite having runners on first and second with one out in the seventh, the Black Bears were unable to capitalize, dropping the contest 3-2 to Harvard.
Kylie Sparks (Kirkland, Wash.) takes the loss for Maine, falling to 1-6 on the season after going 5.1 innings while giving up three runs on eight hits with one strikeout. Ashley Kelley (Hermon, Maine) pitched well in relief for Maine, going 1.2 innings while allowing just one hit with a pair of strikeouts.
Ricciardone picks up the win for the Crimson as she went the distance while giving up two runs, none earned, on four hits while fanning five.
The Black Bears close out their Northridge Classic with a 5 PM EST first pitch against Cal State Northridge.
-U-M-
