SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- The University of Maine softball team was defeated by the Bryant University Bulldogs, 4-3, in the final game of the weekend America East series.
 
Grace McGouldrick led off the game with a walk. She stole second before Katie Jo Moery singled to center. The graduate student lead off hitter came around to score on the base knock. The Black Bears held a 1-0 lead after the first inning.
 
Madison Hand came around to score on Kennedy Priest's sacrifice bunt in the second inning. Bryant made a throwing error which allowed Hand to touch home. Moery stayed hot and doubled home McGouldrick, who reached earlier on a single. Maine's lead had grown to three.
 
Bryant scored their first run of the game in the bottom of the third inning. An RBI single was the extent of damage as the Black Bears held a 3-1 lead through three innings. They would push across another run on another RBI single. The advantage was only one after four complete in Smithfield.
 
The America East contest was tied in the bottom of the fifth inning after the Bulldogs lifted a solo shot to left field. Caitlyn Fallon worked the Black Bears out of the jam. At the end of five, the game was tied 3-3.
 
The Bulldogs would take the lead in the sixth with another solo home run. It was the final run of the game as Maine dropped the rubber match, 4-3.
 
Notes:

• Alexandra Gruitch and Caitlyn Fallon (5-11) threw a combined 6.0 innings, struck out two, and allowed three earned runs.
• Katie Jo Moery paced the Bears at the plate with two hits and two RBI. Grace McGouldrick scored two runs, reached base three times, and stole a bag.

Next: The Black Bears will play two more games in Rhode Island before heading back to Maine. First pitch at the University of Rhode Island is scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, April 10th at 1:00 pm.
 
-UMaine-