LOWELL, Mass. -- The University of Maine softball team split an afternoon doubleheader with UMass Lowell by scores of 4-9 and 5-4 on Saturday afternoon.
 
Game One - Maine: 4 UMass Lowell: 9
 
In the bottom of the fifth inning, the River Hawks scored five runs. Maria Moccio, Jennifer Lee, Lea White, and Abby Packard all recorded RBI in the opening inning.
 
Emma Lark cut into the UMass Lowell lead with a two-run double in the top of the second inning. Mariah Pearson and Shanna Scribner came around to score on the double.
 
Izzy Nieblas continued to hit the cover off the ball with a solo shot in the third. It was back-to-back games for home runs for the sophomore.
 
UMass Lowell scored two runs in its half of the fourth inning. Christina Rizzi and Sara Siteman both snagged RBI's in the rally.
 
In the top half of the sixth, Grace McGouldrick drove in Shanna Scribner with a single. Emma Larke was thrown out trying to take third. Maine trailed 7-4 after its at bat in the sixth.
 
The River Hawks added some insurance in the sixth inning. The 9-4 score would stand as Maine dropped the first game of the double header.
 
Notes:

• Caitlyn Fallon and  Emily Reid teamed up to throw 6.0 innings for the Black Bears. The hurlers allowed seven earned and struck out four.
• Emma Larke and Grace McGouldrick finished game #1 with two hits apiece. Izzy Nieblas crushed another home run for the Black Bears.

 
Game Two - Maine: 5 UMass Lowell: 4
 
The Black Bears did some damage in the bottom of the second inning. Keely Clark started the scoring with an RBI single. Amanda Nee followed with an RBI double of her own. The rally was finished with a Shanna Scribner two-run home run. After the top of the second, Maine led 4-0.
 
Mariah Pearson added another run in the 5th with an RBI single that snuck through the infield. UMass Lowell cut into the lead when they scored two in the bottom half of the fifth. A double and a fielder's choice were the scoring plays. After five complete, Maine led 5-2.
 
In the bottom of the 7th, Courtney Cashman lined a two run home run. It was as close as they would get as Kyleigh O'Donnell shut the door on the rally.
 
Notes:

• Kyleigh O'Donnell went the distance for Maine. The senior allowed four runs over 7.0 innings while striking out three.
• Shanna Scribner paced the offense with a two-run home run. Amanda Nee, Mariah Pearson, and Keely Clark chipped in with the other three RBI.

 
Next: Maine will make a trip to Smithfield, Rhode Island to take on Bryant University. First pitch for Tuesday, April 6th is scheduled for 2:00 pm.
 
-UMaine-