VESTAL, New York -- The University of Maine softball team split an afternoon doubleheader with Binghamton University. The Black Bears won game one, 8-2, while the Bearcats took game two, 3-1.
 
Game One -- Maine: 8 Binghamton: 2
 
The Black Bears wasted little time scoring the game's first runs. Laurine German laced a triple down the left field line scoring both Maddie Decker and Kya Enos. Decker had reached on a walk, while Enos smacked a double. After the top of the first inning, Maine had a very early 2-0 lead.
 
The Bearcats got two back in their half of the first inning. Sara Herskowitz doubled to deep center driving in the first run before Madison Germano scored Herskowitz on a ground out.
 
Maddie Decker has yet to cool off at the plate as the senior launched another homerun. This time the solo shot gave Maine a 3-2. Meghan Royle extended the advantage to 4-2 when the senior double to the left field wall. Kelby Drews finished off the scoring for the Black Bears. Drews lined a ball to center that was misjudged by the centerfielder. The error proved to be costly as Maine scored three on the miscue. 7-2 was the Black Bears advantage after the top of the third.
 
Not to be outdone by her classmates, Meghan Royle lined a homerun of her own. The solo shot gave her squad an 8-2 lead. Emily Reid did the rest and did not allow a run the rest of the game. The Black Bears won the game number one of the weekend, 8-2.
 
Notes:

• Meghan Royle and Maddie Decker each hit solo home runs, while Lauren German lined a two run triple.

• Emily Reid went all 7.0 innings in the first game of the afternoon. Reid struck out five, allowed two earned runs, and only let three total hits.

 
Game Two -- Maine: 1 Binghamton: 3
 
With two outs in the bottom of the third inning, the Bearcats struck for the first two runs of game number two. Makayla Alvarez ripped a bases clearing double down the left field line. After three complete, Binghamton held a 2-0 lead.
 
Alyssa Derrick cut the deficit to one with an RBI single in the top of the fourth inning. Laurine German was standing on third at the time of the single. Binghamton's advantage was 2-1 after Maine's half of the fourth.
 
Lauren Martinez added an insurance run when she grounded out to the right side. It was enough to score Alvarez from third. The Bearcats had a 3-1 lead after six complete. Maine was unable to mount a comeback in the top of 7th as they would fall in the second game of the afternoon, 3-1.
 
Notes:

• Alyssa Derrick recorded the Black Bears' RBI, while Laurine German finished with two hits.
• Kyleigh O'Donnell went all 6.0 innings for Maine. The sophomore allowed three earned runs and struck out six.

 
Next: The Black Bears and Bearcats will finish their three game series tomorrow morning. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 pm.
 
-UMaine-