NEW YORK -- The University of Maine softball team was defeated by the Fordham University Rams in both games of their afternoon doubleheader by scores of 5-2 and 9-3.
 
Game One - Maine: 2 Fordham: 5
 
Sarah Taffet drove in the first two Fordham runs of game #1. The number two hitter hit a solo shot in the bottom of the first before she lifted a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third. After three complete in New York, Maine trailed 2-0.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, the Rams added three more runs. A double and a triple provided the fire power for the home Fordham Rams.
 
Leading off the top of the fifth inning, Izzy Nieblas ripped her first career home run. The sophomore was not done, as she scored the Black Bears second run in the top of the seventh inning. It was as close as Maine would get as they dropped the first game of the Sunday doubleheader.
 
Notes:

• Lilly Volk (0-1) went 4.0 innings for the Black Bears, while striking out two and allowing five runs. Kyleigh O'Donnell finished the final two innings. The senior only allowed one hit.
• Izzy Nieblas paced the offense with a home run and a single. Emma Larke, Keely Clark, Jasmine Gray, and Maddie Kimble all recorded a hit in game #1.

 
Game Two - Maine: 3 Fordham: 9
 
Maine struck first in the second game of the afternoon. With Grace McGouldrick standing on second base, Kelby Drews ripped a double to deep left field. The Black Bears snagged a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Fordham evened things up for a moment in the bottom of the third inning.
 
Mariah Pearson and Amanda Nee immediately took the lead back when the two each launched home runs. After its half of the fourth, Maine was up 3-1.
 
Maddie Aughinbaugh tied things up again for the Rams when the infielder's single scored both Michaela Carter and Anne Marie Prentiss. Through four complete, the two squads were tied at three runs apiece.
 
In the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings, Fordham would take the lead for good. Over the two frames, the Rams scored the final six runs of the non-conference doubleheader. Maine would fall in the final game of the afternoon, 9-3.
 
Notes:

• Gabbie Siciliano (0-2) got the nod for the second game. The junior went 4.1 innings, allowed six earned, and struck out one. Emily Reid went the final two innings. The righty fanned two and only allowed a single run.
• Mariah Pearson and Amanda Nee lead the way with their home runs. Kya Enos, Grace McGouldrick, and Kelby Drews all finished the game with a hit apiece.

 
Next: Maine will travel to New Britain, Connecticut next Saturday, March 27th to take on the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils. First pitch for Saturday is scheduled for 1:00 pm.
 
-UMaine-