NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The University of Maine softball team dropped both games in a double header on the campus of Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, on Wednesday evening.
Game One - Maine: 1 Belmont: 4
Baylee Cook and the Belmont Bruins struck first in the bottom of the third. With Cheyenne Cavanaugh and Elison Ollinger standing on base, Cook singled through the right side. Belmont led 2-0 after three complete.
Maddie Decker, who reached on a fielder's choice, was pinch ran for by Brianna Neely. The freshman stole second base then advanced to third on fly out. While standing on third, Kelby Drews doubled to left center. The Black Bears trailed by only one run after their half of the fifth.
Audrey Lyle homered for the Bruins in the bottom of the fifth, giving her team a two run lead once again. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Chelsea Thomas doubled home Bailey Sims. Belmont's 4-1 advantage would last the rest of the ball game as they knocked off the Black Bears in game one of the doubleheader.
Notes:
- Emily Reid started the game for Maine and went 5.1 innings. The freshman only allowed two earned runs while she struck out five. Gabbie Siciliano went the final 0.2 innings, did not allow a run, and stuck out one.
- Laurine German, Meghan Royle, and Kelby Drews had the three Black Bears hits. Drews also drove in the lone run.
Game Two - Maine: 5 Belmont: 13
Three straight hits equaled two runs in the bottom of the first for the Bruins. Veltri recorded the two RBI for her squad.
Brianna Neely has been one of the most consistent players in Maine's lineup. The freshman drove in
Amanda MacBurnie with a fielder's choice.
Emma Larke followed the RBI with a bunt single.
Laurine German stepped into the box with two runners on. As she has done all year, German came through with a clutch hit. The senior crushed her third home run of the season. Maine had a 4-2 lead after their half of the third.
Belmont cut the lead to one after Bailey Sims sacrificed herself to plate Bailey Sims. Elison Ollinger would tie the game on an RBI two-bagger in the bottom of the fourth. An inside the park home run gave the Bruins a 6-4 cushion after four complete innings.
Maddie Decker narrowly missed a home run in the top of the fifth inning. Hitting the fence with a deep drive to left field, the senior scored
Rebecca Findley from third base. The Black Bears were only down by a run after their fifth at bat.
Belmont loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the fifth. They would eventually score seven in the frame to enforce the eight-run rule. With the victory in game two, the Bruins swept the double header with the Black Bears.
Notes:
Next: Maine is back on the diamond tomorrow, Thursday, March 21st at Tennessee State. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 pm EST.
-UMaine-
