ABILENE, Texas -- The University of Maine softball team (2-7) defeated UMKC on a walk-off, 5-4, in the first game of the afternoon, while they were knocked off by ACU, 9-2, in the final game of the 2019 Wildcat Invitational.
 
Game 1 - Maine: 5 UMKC: 4
 
Maine scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the third inning when Meghan Royle singled home fellow classmate Maddie Decker. Royle was thrown out trying to make it to second on the throw.
 
Another scoring opportunity presented itself when the Black Bears loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the fourth. Unfortunately, the Maine offense hit two ground balls which resulted in three outs.
 
With two outs and two runners on, Bre Hunter singled down the right field line. Sydney Garcia scored on the base knock. The next batter up, Chyanne Onstad, laced a triple that scored both Hunter and Alexis D'Ambrosio.
 
With Rebecca Findley on second and Shanna Scribner on third, Royle lifted a sacrifice fly to right field. Scribner scored on the sacrifice. One batter later, Keely Clark lined a single that scored Findley. Maine only trailed 4-3 after the fifth inning.
 
Hailey Perry led of the bottom of the sixth inning with a crushed home run to left field. Her big fly tied the score at one heading into the final frame.
 
After pinch running earlier in the inning, Emma Larke stood on third base with Makayla "M.K." Livingston in the box. Livingston received the sign and executed a perfect bunt. Larke scored on the bunt as the Black Bears walked-off in the seventh inning for their first victory of the Wildcat Invitational.
 
Notes:

• Kyleigh O'Donnell started the game for Maine. She went 4.2 innings allowing four earned runs and struck out four. Lilly Volk (2-2) finished the final 2.1 scoreless innings. She only allowed three hits over the final 2.1 innings.
• Meghan Royle went 2-3 in the first game with two RBI. Hailey Perry hit the Black Bears' third home run of the year, while Keely Clark was perfect at the plate (2-2) with an RBI.

 
Game 2 - ACU: 9 Maine: 2
 
Shanna Scribner led of the top of the second inning with a walk. Kelby Drews, with two outs, singled through the left side. Amanda Nee continued her hot day and doubled home both of her teammates. The Black Bears grabbed an early 2-0 lead.
 
With the bases loaded and no outs, Briana Tijerina drew a walk. Linsey Tomlinson crossed home on the free pass. Fortunately for the Black Bears, it was the only run ACU would get as a double play and pop up cut the scoring opportunity short.
 
Taylor McCoy, who pinch ran earlier in the bottom of third, scored on Samantha Bradley's single. Bradley would score on the next play as the Maine infield committed their first error of the evening. Tomilson would also come around to score in the three run third inning. ACU led 4-2 after three complete. The Wildcats would add two more in the bottom of the fourth to extend their lead to four runs.
 
Unfortunately for the Black Bears, they were unable to mount as the Wildcats added three more runs in the bottom of the 6th. Maine dropped the final game of the Wildcat Invitational 9-2.
 
Notes:

• Emily Reid (0-3) got the nod for the Black Bears. The freshman allowed four runs (two earned) while she struck out one. Gabbie Siciliano finished the final 3.0 innings for Maine, as she allowed five runs (one earned) and struck out two.
• Amanda Nee drove in the Black Bears' two runs with her extra base hit. Brianna Neely once again tallied two hits out of the leadoff spot.

 
Next: The Black Bears return to the diamond next Friday, March 8th at Kansas when they once again take on UMKC.

-UMaine-