Tampa, Fla. -- The University of Maine softball team began its spring break journey with a pair of losses on day one in Tampa. The Black Bears fell in game one, 1-0, to Loyola University Chicago, before dropping an 11-9 decision to Quinnipiac.
In game one,
Laurine German went 2-for-3 as Maine was able to outhit Loyola Chicago but could not push a run across, losing the opener, 1-0.
Molly Flowers and
Lilly Volk combined for a solid outing in the circle. Flowers gave up one run on three hits while Volk entered in relief, tossing 4.1 innings of no-hit ball with two strikeouts.
The Ramblers scored the game's only run in the top of the second. With two outs, Loyola Chicago was able to load the bases before Kasubke drew a walk, scoring Polaski.
The Black Bears' best chance to get on the board came early in the first.
Erika Leonard reached on an error before back to back singles from German and
Rachel Carlson loaded the bases. However, the Ramblers were able to escape the jam with two strikeouts and a lineout.
Maine threatened again in the fourth and once more in the fifth but were unable to plate a run, falling 1-0.
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In game two, Maine jumped out to an early 8-0 advantage after two innings but could not hold on, falling to Quinnipiac by a final of 11-9.
The Black Bears posted 12 hits in the contest, led German's four hit outing. Carlson went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs while Leonard added two hits and three runs and
Alyssa Derrick belted a three-run homer.
The Black Bears posted three runs in the first and five in the second. The scoring started when Carlson's single to center brought in Leonard. With two away in the inning,
Maddie Decker would reach on an error that allowed both
Kristen Niland and Carlson to score.
The offensive attack continued in the second when Carlson's double to left brought in Leonard and
Amanda Nee. Derrick's three-run homer, her second of the season, gave Maine an 8-0 advantage.
Quinnipiac began its comeback by plating three runs in the third and four more in the fourth to close within a run.
Maine padded its lead with a run in the home half of the fifth. Another two-out rally started when Leonard singled to right before stealing second. German's single to right center brought around Leonard, putting the Black Bears up, 9-7.
A pair of solo home runs in the sixth for Quinnipiac tied the score at 9-9.
The Bobcats took their first lead of the game with two more runs in the seventh.
The Black Bears were unable to close the gap, falling in game two, 11-9.
-UMaine-
