MACON, Ga. – The University of Maine softball team opened up the 2026 season on Friday at the Heart of Georgia Classic, falling in a pair of close games to North Carolina A&T and Evansville.
 
The Black Bears will return to action tomorrow, Feb. 7 with two more games, taking on Mercer and North Carolina A&T.

Game 1
Score: Evansville 4, Maine 1
Stadium: Sikes Files
How it Happened

• Evansville struck first with a home run in the bottom of the first and then an inning later used an RBI single to make it 2-0.
• Maine made it 2-1 in the top of the third after loading the bases and then getting Abby Rhee home on a throwing error.
• The Purple Aces threatened again in the fourth but Alysen Rieth got out of the bases-loaded jam with an inning-ending groundout … after the loading the bases again in the sixth, Evansville plated two runs for the 4-2 lead

Game Notes

• Anna Carlson, Annika Shearer, Kaelyn Larkin and Laura Craska all made their collegiate debuts.
• Alysen Rieth started in the circle, throwing 6.0 innings while giving up four runs – three earned – on eight hits while striking out two.
• Annika Shearer, Madison Hand and Morgan Pool all earned two walks each.
• Carlson and Keira Inman both had a stolen base.
   

Game 2
Score: North Carolina A&T 3, Maine 2
Stadium: Sikes Field
How it Happened

• The teams played five scoreless frames … NC A&T loaded the bases in the bottom of the second but Ava Zettlemoyer forced a strikeout and a groundout to get out of the jam.
• In the top of the sixth, Francesca Guerrera led off with a single … four batters later, Guerrera and pinch runner Keira Inman both scored on a pass ball and throwing error for a 2-0 Maine lead.
• In the bottom of the sixth, NC A&T used a three-run shot to left field to take the lead.
• Annika Shearer recorded her first career hit in the top of the seventh but was left on base.

Game Notes

• Ava Zettlemoyer threw 6.0 innings, giving up three runs on five hits with five walks and seven strikeouts.
• Alli Goetz made her collegiate debut while Neve Adams made her NCAA Division I debut.
• Annika Shearer recorded her first career hit.
• Francesca Guerrera and Maggie Helms also had hits for the Black Bears.
• Anna Carlson recorded two stolen bases.

 
Up Next

• Maine will face North Carolina A&T (12:30 p.m.) and Mercer (5:30 p.m.) tomorrow on the second day of the Heart of Georgia Classic.