BALTIMORE -- The University of Maine softball team defeated the Binghamton University Bearcats, 6-4, in the first game of the day, while dropping game number two to the University at Albany Great Danes, 5-3, on Friday afternoon at the Diamond at UMBC.
 
Game One - University of Maine: 6 Binghamton University: 4

In the top of the third inning, Kelby Drews singled home the first run of the game. Mariah Pearson, who doubled earlier in the inning, came around to score on Drews' single. Binghamton wasted no time in tying the playoff contest with an RBI double in the bottom half of the third. It was the only run the Bearcats scored in their rally as the game was tied, 1-1, after three complete innings.

With Anna Margetis standing on second base, Izzy Nieblas ripped a single to left field. It was deep enough to score Margetis from second base. The lead was once again short lived as Binghamton lifted a two-run home run to center field. After four, Maine trailed 3-2.

Krista Francia, on one of the best stretches of her short career, continued to supply clutch hitting for the Black Bears. With Jasmine Gray standing on second base, the freshman lined a double to the left field fence. At the end of five innings, the America East playoff game was tied, 3-3.

With two outs and two on, Grace McGouldrick crushed her second home run of the season. Pearson and Kyrah Haba-Dailey were on base for the big fly. After the top of the sixth inning, Maine held a 6-3 lead.

The Bearcats lifted a solo shot in their half of the sixth, but it was all Binghamton got. After six complete innings, the Black Bears led 6-4.

Alysen Rieth was called upon to slam the door on the contest. The freshman did her job and propelled UMaine to the next round of the America East tournament.

Notes:

• Caitlyn Fallon went the 6 innings, allowed four earned, and struck out one for her second career playoff victory. Alysen Rieth recorded her second career save after getting three outs in the seventh inning.
• Grace McGouldrick crushed a three-run home run, while Krista Francia, Kelby Drews, and Izzy Nieblas all drove in a run.

Game Two - University of Maine: 3 University at Albany: 5
 
Kelby Drews, reaching on a fielding error committed by the Great Danes, scored the first run of game number two in the top of the first inning. The graduate student touched home after a wild pitch. UAlbany took a one run lead in their half of the inning. An error and two singles equaled two runs. Maine would not trail for long.
 
In the top of the second inning, Kyrah Haba-Dailey would score on a fielding error. Grace McGouldrick lined a ground ball that found its way through the second baseman and the center fielder. The AE postseason contest was tied, 2-2, after two complete innings.
 
UAlbany took a two run lead after lining a single through the left side. Two runners came around to score on the base knock. After three innings, Maine was looking at a 4-2 deficit.
 
Jasmine Gray pulled her squad to within a run with a solo shot in the top of the fifth inning. The Black Bears only trailed by a run after five complete.
 
The Great Danes doubled their lead with a run in the bottom of the sixth inning. The run was manufactured by two stolen bases and a pass ball. It was the final run of the afternoon as Maine fell, 5-3.
 
Notes:

• Alysen Rieth went 6.0 innings, allowed only three earned, and struck out four.
• Jasmine Gray launched her second home run of the tournament in the loss.

Next: This concludes the 2023 season for the University of Maine softball team.
 
-UMaine-