ORONO, Maine – The University of Maine softball team was defeated in both ends of an afternoon doubleheader against UAlbany, 1-2 and 7-11, at Kessock Field.
Game One -- Maine: 1 UAlbany: 2
UAlbany grabbed the first run of the game in the top of first inning on a throwing error committed by the Maine infield. The Great Danes held an early 1-0 lead.
The Great Danes extended their lead to two runs in top of the fifth with an infield single from Love Drumgole. After their half of the fifth inning, UAlbany had a 2-0 advantage.
Maddie Decker continued her hot streak with a homerun in the bottom of the fifth. The senior pulled her squad to within a run after five complete innings Orono.
It was as close as the Black Bears would get as they dropped game one of the afternoon, 2-1. Aside from the two runs,
Emily Reid was outstanding in her game one performance in Orono.
Notes:
Game Two -- Maine: 7 UAlbany: 11
UAlbany also scored first in the second game of the afternoon. Sarah Petzold singled to left which allowed Mariah Miramontez to score from second base. The Great Danes had a 1-0 lead after their half the first.
Amelia Ely scored a second run for Albany in the top of the second on Miramontez's single to left field with the bases loaded.
Lilly Volk got out of the jam with only one run allowed.
The homerun surge for the Black Bears continued with freshman
Kya Enos in the bottom of the third. Enos launched her first career round tripper.
Keely Clark, another freshman, pulled her squad to within one with an RBI single up the middle. Maine trailed 3-2 after three complete on the campus of the University of Maine.
Not to be outdone by the freshmen, senior
Meghan Royle tied the conference match-up with a solo shot in the bottom of the fourth inning. After four complete, the score was tied at three runs apiece.
After crushing a foul ball,
Alyssa Derrick straightened out the next to pitch to drive in
Grace McGouldrick from second base and give Maine a 4-3 lead after five complete.
Maranda Jimenez was called upon to pinch hit with two outs in the top of the seventh. The pinch hitter did her job and plated the game tying run from first base.
In extra innings, Albany manufactured a run in the top of eighth with an error committed by the Maine infield. Their lead was short lived.
The freshmen tied the extra inning game in the bottom of the eighth. With
Brianna Neely standing on second,
Kelby Drews singled through the right side. Once again, the America East contest was tied.
With a runner standing on first base, Alexis Phillips laid down a sacrifice bunt. The Black Bears' committed an error allowing Sarah Petzold to score from first base. Phillips reached third on the error. The Great Danes added another for insurance with a triple down the right field line.
Looking up at a two run deficit, Maine did not blink. Derrick and Royle combined for two RBI in the bottom of the ninth inning. After nine complete, the score was tied at seven.
Albany finally grabbed the lead for good when they tallied four runs in the top of 12th. With an 11-7 lead, the Great Danes held off Maine for their second win of the afternoon.
Notes:
- Lilly Volk got the nod for game number two and went 2.0+ innings. The sophomore allowed three earned runs. Kyleigh O'Donnell came in for relief of her teammate. The sophomore went 6.0 innings, allowed three earned, and struck out three. Emily Reid was called upon in the 9th after O'Donnell eclipsed 100 pitches. Reid recorded 4.0 innings of work, allowed four earned, and struck out two.
- Meghan Royle and Kya Enos each crushed home runs in the second game, while Kelby Drews and Alyssa Derrick each chipped in with two hits.
Next: The Black Bears will continue America East play when they travel to Binghamton for a three game series. First pitch on Saturday, April 27th is scheduled for 1:00 pm.
-UMaine-
