POCATELLO, Idaho – The University of Maine softball team fell to Southern Utah and Idaho State on its first day of the Orange and Black Classic, hosted by Idaho State.
 
The Black Bears will face Southern Utah and the host-Tigers again tomorrow, with first pitch of each game scheduled for 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., respectively.

Game 15
Score: Southern Utah 10, Maine 1
Stadium: Miller Ranch Stadium
How it Happened

• The Thunderbirds jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning … the Black Bears responded in the top of the second when Morgan Pool's single up the middle brought around Annika Shearer, who had singled earlier in the frame.
• Southern Utah pushed the lead back out to three with an RBI triple in the fourth.
• In the bottom of the fifth, a grand slam and a two-run home run gave the Thunderbirds the run rule victory at 10-1.

Game Notes

• Alysen Rieth started in the circle, throwing one inning while allowing three runs … Hannah Hipwell threw 3.0 innings of relief, giving up five runs while Kyle Brogan allowed two runs.
• Allie Goetz was 1-for-2 with a double while Annika Shearer was 1-for-2 with one run scored … Shearer added a stolen base.
• Morgan Pool (1-for-2) and Maggie Helms (1-for-1) added hits for the Black Bears with Helms also earning a walk.

 
Game 16
Score: Idaho State 12, Maine 4
Stadium: Miller Ranch Stadium
How it Happened

• The Tigers took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a three-run shot to left field … the hosts made it a 5-0 game with another long ball to left field in the bottom of the third.
• The Black Bears pulled a run back in the top of the fourth … after a Keira Inman double, Madison Hand's infield single forced a throwing error that allowed Inman to score.
• Idaho State then erupted for seven runs in the bottom of the fourth.
• Maine did not go quietly, as the Black Bears plated three runs in the fifth thanks to Francesca Guerrera's first career home run, a three-run shot to left field … Maine could not cut the deficit any closer and Idaho State held on for the 12-4 run rule victory.

Game Notes

• Ava Zettlemoyer started in the circle, throwing 3.1 innings … Sage Soares threw 0.2 innings in relief, making her collegiate debut.
• Francesca Guerrera was 1-for-1 with three RBI and her first collegiate home run.
• Keira Inman was 1-for-2 with a double and one run scored while Madison Hand was 1-for-2 with an RBI.

Up Next

• Maine will face Southern Utah and Idaho State again tomorrow, taking on the Thunderbirds at 12:30 p.m. ET and the Tigers at 5:30 p.m. ET.
• The Black Bears will close out the weekend on Sunday with a single game against the Tigers at 12:00 p.m. ET.