FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The University of Maine softball team split a Sunday afternoon doubleheader with the Sacred Heart Pioneers. The Black Bears won game one, 8-2, while the Pioneers took the second game, 10-5.
 
Game One - Maine: 8 Sacred Heart: 2
 
The Black Bears wasted little time scoring its first run of the afternoon. In the top of the first inning, Mariah Pearson doubled home Kya Enos, who had reached earlier in the inning.
 
Sacred Heart scored runs in the bottom of the first and second inning. Alyssa Gonzalez and M Funes each recorded an RBI for the Pioneers. After two complete, Maine trailed by a run.
 
Caitlyn Fallon gave the Black Bears a lead they would not relinquish. The sophomore crushed a home run in the top of the third inning. Not to be outdone, Kelby Drews launched a round tripper of her own.
 
Two innings later, Drews figured she would extend the Maine lead with another home run. Shanna Scribner finished the fifth inning with a two-run triple. The Black Bears held a commanding 7-2 lead.
 
Continuing her torrid afternoon, Drews just missed another homerun. This time the shortstop settled for a one-run double. The 8-2 advantage would hold as Maine won its first game of the 2021 season.
 
 
Notes:

• Kyleigh O'Donnell (1-0) went the distance for the College of Your Heart Always. Over the 7.0 innings, the senior allowed two earned runs, one hit, and struck out seven.
• Kelby Drews led the way at the plate with three hits (two home runs and one double) and four RBI. Kya Enos, Grace McGouldrick, Caitlyn Fallon, Mariah Pearson, and Keely Clark all recorded two hits. Fallon's home run was the first of her collegiate career.

 
Game Two - Maine: 5 Sacred Heart: 10
 
Grabbing an early 1-0 lead, Caroline Kruger homered in the bottom of the first inning. The Pioneers added another three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Maighread Scafariel rounded the bases after knocking a two run home run over the fence, before Kira Ferraiolo lined a solo shot of her own. Maine trailed 4-0 after four complete.
 
Amy Petrovich was responsible for both of Sacred Heart's runs in the bottom of the fifth. The Pioneer singled home a run before crossing home on a Maine error.
 
The Black Bears scored all its runs in the top of the sixth inning. M.K. Livingston  started the rally with a two-run home run. Emma Larke recorded a two-run knock of her own with a single to center. After the top of the sixth, Maine trailed by a 6-4 score.
 
All in the bottom of the sixth inning, Kruger singled to center field and scored Sara Fagan before Gonzalez launched a three run homerun. The 10-4 score stood as the Black Bears dropped the second game of the double header.
 
Notes:

• Caitlyn Fallon (0-1) started the game for Maine. The academic sophomore went 3.0 innings, allowed four earned runs and struck out two. Lilly Volk finished the final three frames. The righty allowed six runs while striking out two.
• Emma Larke and M.K. Livingston  each had two RBI in the doubleheader finale. Brianna Neely, Rebecca Findley, M.K. Livingston , Amanda MacBurnie, and Maddie Kimble all crossed home for the visiting Black Bears.

 
Next: Maine will travel to Fordham University for a doubleheader next Saturday, March 20th. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 pm.
 
-UMaine-