Clearwater, Fla. -- The University of Maine softball team ended its annual spring trip on a high note, earning a doubleheader sweep with a 7-6 win over Florida A&M in eight innings before snapping Florida Gulf Coast's nine-game win streak with a 5-3 decision in the finale. The victory moved Maine's record to 9-14 while FGCU dropped to 22-3.

In game one, Maine jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first before winning it in the eighth inning on Meghan Royle's walk-off single. Kristen Niland tallied four hits in the win while Rachel Carlson and Maddie Decker each went 2-for-4 with two runs.

Annie Kennedy earned her four victory of the year as she went the full eight innings, giving up six runs, five earned, while fanning seven.

The Rattlers jumped out early with two runs in the top of the first but Maine was quick to answer with four in the home half of the inning.

A fielder's choice from Laurine German and walks by Carlson and Decker loaded the bases for Maine before Derrick's walk brought in German. Niland would reach on a error to score Carlson before Shanna Scribner's fielder's choice allowed Decker to come in from third. Maine took a 4-2 lead when Amanda Nee singled to left, scoring Derrick.

Florida A&M came right back with two in the second to tie the game at 4-4 before adding one more in the top of the sixth to take the lead.

The Black Bears again answered in the bottom of the inning when Derrick's RBI single scored Carlson, tying the game at 5-5.

The game would move into extra innings as the international rule would be put into play in the eighth. The Rattler's started the inning with Alexis Blasingane on second and regain the lead when Blasingane came in to score when Tyra Bowers reached on an error.

As they did all day, Maine answered. German would be placed on second before advancing to third on a passed ball and soon after score on Decker's single. A walk by Derrick and single from Niland loaded the bases for Maine before Royle's pinch hit RBI single lifted the Black Bears to the 7-6, walk-off victory.

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In game two, Decker's three run homer in the fifth gave Maine a lead it would not relinquish as the Black Bears would hold on to defeat Florida Gulf Coast (22-3) by a final of 5-3.

Leonard, who finished the contest with two hits, also drove in a run for Maine while Derrick added an RBI double. Kyleigh O'Donnell provided a solid relief outing to earn the win after tossing 4.2 innings of shutout, two-hit ball to go along with three strikeouts.

The Black Bears rallied for a run in the top of the first when Derrick's two-out double to left brought in German.

FGCU plated three in the third beginning with Huff's two RBI triple to the gap in center before Fournet's sacrifice fly gave the Eagles a 3-1 advantage.

Maine rallied back to regain the lead in the fifth when Carlson and German came in to score on a three-run shot from Decker.

Maine tacked on a run in the top of the seventh when Leonard's bases loaded single down the line in left scored Maddie Kimble.

O'Donnell and the defense held FGCU scoreless in the bottom of the seventh to take home the 5-3 victory.

Maine returns to the diamond on March 24 when it travels to take on Boston University at 1 p.m.

-UMaine-