SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The University of Maine softball team was defeated by Sacramento State, 11-2 and 5-4, in both ends of the doubleheader.
 
Game One: Maine 2, Sacramento State 11
 
In the bottom of the first inning, the Hornets scored two runs. A walk, a single, an error, and a ground out helped the home squad push two across in their first at bat of the day.
 
The Hornets posted seven runs in the bottom half of the seventh inning. Errors and walks spelled disaster for the Black Bears.
 
A double and a ground out equaled two more runs in the bottom of the third for Sacramento State. After three complete innings in Sacramento, Maine trailed 11-0.
 
Kyrah Haba-Dailey and Jasmine Gray both scored runs in the top of the fifth, but it was not enough. Maine fell 11-2 in the first game of the afternoon.
 
Notes:

• Ava Zettlemoyer (0-1) and Alysen Rieth both saw time in the circle. They combined for one strikeout and seven earned runs.
• Grace McGouldrick and Immy Gie paced the Black Bears with two hits each. Krista Francia drove in the lone RBI.

Game Two: Maine 4, Sacramento State 5
 
The first runs of the doubleheader finale were scored in the top of the fifth inning. After she singled to center, Mariah Pearson came around to score on an error. Krista Francia touched home after a sacrifice bunt was executed to perfection by Jasmine Gray. Katie Jo Moery singled and later came around to score on Grace McGouldrick's single. McGouldrick stole second then third before she came around to score on a ground out.
 
Sacramento State scored runs of their own in the bottom half of the fifth inning. They took the lead by earning a handful of walks, driving three hits into the outfield, and forcing a few miscues by the Black Bears' defense. At the end of five complete innings, Maine trailed 5-4.
 
They were the final runs of the evening as Maine dropped the doubleheader finale, 5-4.
 
Notes:

• Caitlyn Fallon (3-7) and Alexandra Gruitch both saw time in the circle. They combined for six strikeouts and four earned runs.
• Grace McGouldrick recorded two hits, three stolen bases, an RBI, and a run in the loss. Rylee Kent and Jasmine Gray tallied the other two RBI.

Next: The Black Bears are scheduled to return to the diamond Thursday, March 16 at San Jose State. First pitch in Moraga, California is scheduled for 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT.
 
-UMaine-