Stillwater, Oklahoma -- Cleanup hitter Maddie Decker drove in two runs, but the UMaine softball team could not complete a late comeback attempt, falling 4-2 to Omaha in the final day of the Mizuno Classic at Cowgirl Stadium.
 
Decker went 2-for-2 on the day, launching a solo home run in the second inning along with driving in another run with a double in the sixth inning. She also drew a walk to reach base in all three plate appearances. 
 
Kristen Nilland and Rachel Carlson also recorded a hit against the Mavericks.
 
Annie Kennedy (2-1) started on the mound for the Black Bears (4-6), striking out two batters, while allowing two hits and two runs in her first loss of the season. Molly Flowers entered the game in the third inning, earning four strikeouts, while giving up three hits, two runs, and a walk in four innings of relief. The duo combined to hold the Mavericks to five hits in the contest. 
 
Omaha's starting pitcher Sydney Hampton (7-4) earned the victory, striking out three while allowing two hits and a run in three innings of work. 
 
In the bottom of the first, Omaha plated two runs home with back-to-back doubles to take an early lead. Maine countered in the top half of the second inning with Decker's solo shot. Niland followed Decker with a single, but Maine could not advance her in the frame.
 
The Mavericks (9-11) hit home runs in the bottom halves of the third and fourth innings to take a 4-1 advantage.
 
In Maine's half of the sixth, Laurine German and Erika Leonard reached base on errors with one out in the frame. Decker's second extra-base hit of the game came in clutch, as her double to right scored German. The next two batters popped out to end the inning with Maine trailing, 4-2.
 
With two outs in the top of the seventh, Julianna Ferguson earned a walk to keep Maine's hopes alive. Emily Gilmore came into run for Ferguson, as Carlson advanced her into scoring position with a single. However, the following batter popped out to second base to end the comeback attempt.
 
Maine returns to action on March 9, when the Black Bears commence a 13-game road trip in Tampa, Florida. Maine starts the trip with a double-header, facing off against Loyola Chicago at 2:00 p.m., followed by a matchup with Quinnipiac at 4:30 p.m.
 
-UMaine-