CHATTANOOGA, TN -- The University of Maine softball team defeated Western Illinois University, 5-4, in game number one, while being defeated by Indiana State, 8-0, in game number two on two one in Tennessee.

Game One - Maine: 5 Western Illinois: 4
The Black Bears took a two-run lead in the bottom of the first inning. Grace McGouldrick scored on a Kelby Drews single. Izzy Nieblas drew a bases-loaded walk that forced Krista Francia across the plate. Western Illinois tied the Saturday morning contest in the top of the second. The score would remain 2-2 until the fourth inning.
 
Kennedy Priest drove in Gabby Papushka with a single in the Maine half of the fourth inning. WIU would take their first lead of the day in the top half of the fifth inning after the Bulldogs launched a two-run home run. Maddy Hand and Katie Jo Moery combined to tie the non-conference game with a run in the bottom of the fifth. The game would head to extras.
 
Papushka attempted a sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the eighth inning. WIU committed a throwing error which allowed Kyrah Haba-Dailey to score. It was the third win of the 2023 season for the Black Bears.
 
Notes:

• Ava Zettlemoyer, Alexandra Gruitch, and Alysen Rieth (1-0) all appeared in the victory. The three combined to strike out six and allowed only four earned.
• Kennedy Priest, Kelby Drews, Madison Hand, and Izzy Nieblas recorded the Black Bears' four RBI.

Game Two - Maine: 0 Indiana State: 8
The Black Bears were held hitless in the final game of day number two.
 
Notes:

• Ava Zettlemoyer, Caitlyn Fallon (2-2), and Alysen Rieth all appeared in the finale. The trio allowed six earned and struck out two.

 
Next: The Black Bears will return to the diamond tomorrow, February 19 for the final game in Tennessee. First pitch against UT Chattanooga is scheduled for 11:00 am.
 
-UMaine-