AMHERST, Mass. -- The University of Maine softball team was defeated by the University of Massachusetts Minutemen, 7-4, in game number one, while being defeated in game number two, 4-2, on Wednesday afternoon at Sortino Field.
 
Maine: 4 UMass: 7
 
In the bottom of the second inning, UMass scored three unearned runs. An error, a walk, and four singles spelled disaster for the Black Bears in the frame. Maine trailed 3-0 after two complete in Amherst.
 
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Minutemen scored one run on a sacrifice fly. The lead was 4-0 after four innings.
 
The Black Bears tied the game with two home runs in the top of the fifth inning. Izzy Nieblas lifted a solo shot before Gabby Papushka cleared the bases with a three-run home run. The tie was short lived.
 
UMass scored two runs on a single in the bottom half of the fifth inning. Two walks and a single equaled two runs for the Minutemen. At the end of five innings, Maine trailed 6-4. The home squad would post another in the bottom of the sixth.
 
They were the final runs of the game as the Black Bears fell, 7-4.
 
Notes:

• Emily Reid, Gabbie Siciliano, and Caitlyn Fallon all appeared in the game one loss. The two combined to allow seven runs (three earned), 10 hits, and strike out four.
• Izzy Nieblas and Gabby Papushka both hit home runs and drove in all four runs. Mariah Pearson tallied two hits in the loss.

Maine: 2 UMass: 4
UMass pushed across two runs in the bottom of the first inning. A fielder's choice and infield single was enough for one earned and one unearned run. The Minutemen tacked on another in the bottom of the second. After two innings in game number two, Maine trailed 3-0.
 
In the top of the fourth inning, Jasmine Gray hit a two run home run to left field. Izzy Nieblas came around to score on the round-tripper. The Black Bears were down a run after four complete innings.
 
The Minutemen scored a single run in the bottom of the fifth inning. It was the final run of the afternoon as Maine dropped game number two, 4-2.
 
Notes:

• Alexandra Gruitch (0-12) went the distance for the Black Bears. She allowed only two earned and struck out two.
• Jasmine Gray paced Maine at the dish with a two-run home run, while Kelby Drews ripped a double in the top of the seventh.

 
Next: The Black Bears will open America East play at Stony Brook this Saturday, April 2. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 pm.
 
-UMaine-