FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- The University of Maine softball team opened Saturday's doubleheader action with a 15-5 loss to No. 25 Wisconsin in a five-inning run-rule shortened game.

Alyssa Derrick blasted her third home run of the spring and drove in her team-leading seventh run to lead the Maine offense.

After a scoreless first, the Badgers pushed across three runs in the top of the second. Chloe Miller's single up the middle plated the first two runs of the game before Brooke Wyderski's double down the line in left brought in Miller.

Wisconsin's offense exploded for eight runs in the third, thanks to a three-run shot from Wyderski and a two-run homer by Stephanie Lombardo.

Maine was able to get a pair back in the home half of the inning. With one away in the inning, Erika Leonard doubled to the gap in left center before advancing to third on Rachel Carlson's single through the left side. Leonard and Carlson came around to score on Meghan Royle's triple to right, cutting the score to 11-2 after three.

However, the Badgers answered with a four-run top of the fourth, swelling its lead out to 15-2 in the fourth.

Maine continued the battle, getting three more back in the bottom of the fifth. The Black Bears were able to put together a two out rally in the inning. After Laurine German started the inning by reaching on an error, Royle worked a two-out walk before Derrick blasted her third home run of the spring to left. However, Maine could not close the gap any futher, falling to the Badgers by a final of 15-5.

The Black Bears close out Saturday's doubleheader with a contest against Colorado State at 5 p.m. EST.

-UMaine-