SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The University of Maine softball team defeated George Washington, 3-2, in game number one, while being defeated by the University of South Carolina Upstate Spartans, 10-5, in game number two on Opening Day.

Game One - Maine: 3 George Washington: 2
In the top of the first inning, the Black Bears took a lead they would never relinquish. Grace McGouldrick reached in her first at bat of the 2023 season. After some nifty base running, she would come around to score on an Izzy Nieblas ground out.
 
Anna Margetis ripped a two-run single in the top of the third inning. The runs were much needed. George Washington scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Freshman Alysen Rieth slammed the door shut on the rally and secured her squad's first victory of the season.
 
Notes:

• Caitlyn Fallon (1-0) and Alysen Rieth both appeared in the first game of the 2023 season. The two allowed two earned runs while striking out five.
• Grace McGouldrick, Immy Gie, and Anna Margetis recorded the hits, while Margetis (two) and Nieblas drove in the runs.

Game Two - Maine: 5 USC Upstate: 10
The USC Upstate Spartans started the scoring in the bottom of the first inning. With runners on second and third, Tiffany Dominque lined a single to right field and drove home both runners. A wild pitch and a single equaled two more runs for Upstate. After the first inning, Maine trailed 4-0.
 
With runners on second and third in the bottom of the first inning, Sarah Price singled to deep second base. Both runners touched home on the base knock. Dominque continued to see the ball well as she lifted a two-run home run to left field. After two innings, the Black Bears were looking at an eight run deficit.
 
Anna Margetis crushed her first career home run in the top of the third inning. The two run home run cut the Spartans' lead to six. After Upstate scored one in the bottom of the third, Maine trailed 9-2.
 
Grace McGouldrick started the three run rally in the top of the fifth when she reached base. After moving around the bases, she scored on a Kelby Drews single. Krista Francis drove in two runs with a monster double off the left field wall. The lead was cut to four after the top of the fifth. Unfortunately, they were the final runs of the game for the Black Bears. Upstate added on more to make the final score 10-5.
 
Notes:

• Ava Zettlemoyer, Alexandra Gruitch, and Caitlyn Fallon all appeared in the opening day finale. The trio allowed nine earned and struck out one.
• Anna Margetis crushed a two-run home run, while Krista Francia drove in two with a double to deep left.

 
Next: The Black Bears will return to the diamond tomorrow, February 11 for two more games. First pitch against George Washington is scheduled for 9:00 am.
 
-UMaine-