MISSOULA, Mt. -- The University of Maine softball team (3-17) closed out its spring break trip with a 5-2 loss at Montana (13-15) on Sunday afternoon. Meghan Royle recorded an RBI for the Black Bears while Rachel Carlson and Rachel Harvey each went 1-for-3 with a run scored.

Maine fell into another early hole as Montana plated a two-out run in the first before tacking on three in the bottom of the second thanks to a two RBI triple by Sydney Stites.

The Black Bears cut into the lead with a single run in the top of the fourth. With two away in the inning, Harvey singled to center and advanced to second on a single from Kristen Niland. Royle followed with Maine's third-straight single to score Harvey and bringing the Black Bears within three.

Maine cut the lead in half with another run in the sixth. Carlson led off the inning with a bunt single. Alyssa Derrick would follow with a base hit to right, moving to Carlson to second before she would come around to score on a throwing error by Montana.

The Griz answered in the sixth, getting a run back to push their lead back out to three.

Maine was unable to score in the seventh, dropping the Griz Classic finale to Montana, 5-2.

The Black Bears return home and will be back in action on Sunday, March 26 when they travel for a doubleheader at Sacred Heart. Maine will open the day with a game against the Pioneers at noon before taking on Quinnipiac at 2 p.m.

-UMaine-