Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine Black Bears softball team will open their home portion of the 2019 season this Thursday, April 18^th with a doubleheader for Lace Up for Pediatric Cancer against Holy Cross with the first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m.
 
The Black Bears are also set to play a doubleheader against The University of Albany Great Danes on Saturday, April 20, with first pitch at 12:00 p.m. Maine will close the series with a single game on Sunday, April 21, at 12:00 p.m.
 
Scouting the Black Bears:
Maine continues America East play with its final 

Maine enters the series against Holy Cross with a mark of 9-22 after going 1-2 at conference rival Hartford last weekend. Emily Reid and Laurine German led the charge in the Black Bears' Sunday victory at Hartford.

Offense: On Sunday April 14, senior Laurine German had a two-out, bases loaded chance in the bottom of the second, and the senior delivered. The Maine native singled through the left side and drove in Amanda Nee and Kelby Drews. Freshman Keely Clark is leading the team with an average of .309. Close behind Clark is German with an average of .287. The Maine native also has three homeruns, 19 RBI, 25 hits and a slugging percentage of .517 on the season.

Brianna Neely has found success early in her collegiate career on the bath paths with 15 stolen bases in her first 24 games. Hermon, Maine native, Hailey Perry, provided Maine with some power on their southern swing. The sophomore launched two homeruns in Texas. In her first weekend in NCAA Division 1 softball, Grace McGouldrick earned America East Rookie of the Week honors.

Pitching: On Saturday April 13, Kyleigh O'Donnell went all seven innings for the Black Bears, allowed the lone run, let up only four hits, and struck out six. Lilly Volk got the nod for game two and went 6.2 innings while allowing only one earned run. On Sunday April 14, Emily Reid went all 7.0 innings for Maine, while only allowing five hits. The two runs were both unearned. The freshman also struck out two on the afternoon.

The Black Bears have featured all four of their pitchers this spring. Freshman Gabbie Siciliano has appeared in 11 games, while starting three of them. Siciliano has recorded 15 strikeouts over her 22.2 innings of work. O'Donnell, as was the case last weekend, has found the most success on the 2019 campaign. The sophomore flame thrower has a 3.90 ERA, two wins, and 52 strikeouts. 

Lilly Volk and Emily Reid have also earned starters over the softball season. The two righties have combined for eight wins and 49 strikeouts over 112.2 innings of work.

Scouting Holy Cross:
 
The Crusaders' are entering this series with an average of 7-27, and they are coming off two victories this past Tuesday. Freshman Kelly Nelson went the distance in the circle in both games. After her performance, Nelson lower her ERA to 2.56. She also improved her record to 4-13. Alexandra Held sports a record of 3-11 for the Crusaders while holding a 4.54 ERA.
 
Taylor Wahler leads Holy Cross with an average of .297 and 33 total hits. Wahler's seven stolen bases is the most on the team. Erin Bengston has two homeruns on the season to go along with 15 RBI, both team highs. Sydney Burr and Alyssa Gutierrez have both chipped in with a homerun.
 
Scouting the University of Albany Great Danes:
 
The Great Danes are entering this weekend of games with a record of 18-10. UAlbany is coming off a 2-1 weekend against America East foe Stony Brook. The Great Danes fell in game one of the weekend by a score of 4-0, before bouncing back with a 6-3 victory in game two to even the series. Senior Celeste Verdolivo earned her 13^th win of the season with a victory in game three of the weekend. Verdolivo also has a 2.75 ERA and 52 strikeouts over her 18 appearances.
 
Katie Falotico spear heads the Albany offense with a .374 average, three homeruns, and 27 RBI. Sarah Petzold is close behind with a .356 average, three homeruns, and 15 RBI. Chelsea Henige, Maranda Jimenez, and Kelly Barkevich all have tallied two big flies on the 2019 campaign. Aliyah Wade is the Great Danes' catalyst on the base paths with 13 stolen bases in 28 games.
 
-UMaine-