NEW BRITAIN, Connecticut -- The University of Maine softball team split a doubleheader with Iona College and Manhattan College. The Black Bears defeated Iona, 3-1, while they dropped game two to Manhattan, 4-1.
 
Game One - Maine: 3 Iona: 1
 
The Iona Gaels would grab the first run of the Sunday morning ball game. With runners on second and third and no outs, Kimberly Chiapparelli grounded out, while Natalia Meray scored on the play. Emily Reid limited the damage to the one run in the top of the first inning.
 
Alyssa Derrick singled and Hailey Perry walked to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning. Kya Enos pinch ran for Derrick. The freshman promptly stole third base. Meghan Royle, next to step into the box, singled to left field and drove in Enos to tie that game at one. Fellow senior, Maddie Decker, followed the RBI with an RBI double of her own. The Black Bears had a 2-1 lead after four innings.
 
Maine added another run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Kelby Drews drove in Hailey Perry from third with a ground out. It was the final run of the game as the Black Bears defeated Iona 3-1 in game one of the morning.
 
Notes:

• Emily Reid threw a complete game for Maine. The freshman allowed only one earned and struck out four over the seven innings.
• Maddie Decker went 2-2 for an RBI, while Meghan Royle recorded a hit and an RBI. Kelby Drews drove in the final run of the game

 
Game Two - Maine: 1 Manhattan: 5
 
In their first at bat of the game, Alyssa Derrick singled home Meghan Royle from second base. After the top of the first inning, Maine already had a 1-0 lead.
 
Manhattan recorded their first hits and runs in the bottom of the third. With the bases loaded, Annie Moore doubled to the left-center field gap. All three runners on base scored giving the Jaspers a 3-1 lead after three complete innings.
 
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Manhattan scored an unearned run to pad their lead to three. They would add one more in the bottom of the sixth. Maine was unable to mount a comeback and fell in game two of the day 5-1.
 
Notes:

• Kyleigh O'Donnell went the first 5.0 innings for Maine while allowing two earned runs and striking out four. Lilly Volk pitched the final inning as she allowed one earned run and struck out one.
• Alyssa Derrick drove in Maine's lone run of game two.

Next: The Black Bears will return to the diamond and start conference play next Saturday, March 30th at UMass-Lowell. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 pm.