BEAUMONT, Texas -- The University of Maine softball team was defeated by UTSA, 6-5. The Roadrunners scored two in the bottom of the seventh to come from behind and knock off the Black Bears.
 
Amanda Nee drove home the first run of the 2019 season when she tripled down the left line in the top of the second inning. Singling earlier in the inning, Hailey Perry scored on the extra base hit.
 
In their half of the second inning, the Roadrunners loaded the bases with the help of a few hits and walks. Celeste Loughman singled and drove in two runs. After two innings, UTSA held a 2-1 lead.
 
Maine tied the game in their next at bat when Maddie Decker lined a ball to right that was dropped by the UTSA right fielder. Grace McGouldrick scored on the error.
 
Riley Grunberg singled and was pinch run for by Hannah Boring. After advancing to third, Boring scored on an Elexus Trenkle sacrifice fly. The Roadrunners led 3-2 after three innings.
 
Freshman Gabbie Siciliano replaced Kyleigh O'Donnell, who got the start for the Black Bears, in the top of the fourth inning. UTSA scored a run for the third consecutive inning when Loughman crossed the plate after Maine committed a fielding error.  
 
Down two heading into the top of the sixth inning, the Black Bears scored two runs on a Kelby Drews double. With two outs and two runners on, the freshman doubled to left center driving home both Shanna Scribner and Kya Enos.
 
Laurine German, the first batter Nelson faced in the inning, doubled to lead off the Black Bears final at bat. UTSA brought Clarissa Hernandez in for Madison Nelson after had pitched the first 6+ innings, allowing four earned runs. German scored on a Maddie Decker ground out to give her squad their first lead of the ball game.
 
The Roadrunners wouldn't trail for long. A homerun and an RBI single gave UTSA their first win of the 2019 Cardinal Classic. Maine dropped the back and forth game for their first loss of the season.
 
Notes:

• Kyleigh O'Donnell received a no-decision after she went 3.0 and allowed three earned runs. She struck out one, while only walking one. Gabbie Siciliano (0-1) pitched the final 3.1 innings, as she allowed two earned and struck out two.
• Madison Nelson started the game and pitched 6.0 for the Roadrunners. Nelson allowed four earned runs and 10 hits to the Black Bears. Clarissa Hernandez (1-1) pitch a perfect inning after UTSA brought her in for relief.
• Grace McGouldrick and Amanda Nee each had two hits for Maine, while Lauren German tallied three. Kelby Drews recorded her first two collegiate RBI in the top of the 6th inning.

Next: The Black Bears return to the field tonight at 8:30 PM EST to take on the Lamar Cardinals in the final game of the day.