Box Score PHOENIX, Ariz. -- The University of Maine softball team opened its 2017 season with a 5-1 loss at Grand Canyon University on Friday evening.
Rachel Carlson led the way for Maine with a 2-for-3 night. The Lopes improved to 17-1 with the victory.
Erin Bogdanovich picked up the loss for the Black Bears after giving up five runs, four earned, on seven hits while fanning one in 2.1 inning.
Molly Flowers was was solid in relief, scattering four hits of shutout ball over 3.2 innings with one strikeout.
Taylor Nowlin picked up the win for GCU with a complete game three-hitter while issuing just one run with eight strikeouts.
Maine jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first.
Erika Leonard led off the game by reaching on a hit by pitch before advancing to second on Carlson's single through the left side. After a walk by
Felicia Lennon loaded the bases,
Maddie Decker's sacrifice fly to right allowed Carlson to tag and score the game's first run. Maine carried a 1-0 lead after a half inning.
However, the Black Bears were unable to plate a run again in the contest.
The Lopes scored all five of their runs in the bottom of the fifth. A bases loaded double by Camree Wartman plated three before Warman scored on a single to right center from Shea Smith. The fifth run of the inning by the Lopes came in when Kendsey Hill scored on a passed ball.
Maine was unable to close in on the lead, dropping its season opener by a final of 5-1 to the Lopes.
The Black Bears are back in action on Saturday, March 4 with a doubleheader. Maine will take on Grand Canyon University beginning at 4:30 PM before a showdown with Creighton at 7 PM. All times listed are Eastern Standard Time.
-UMaine-
