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Softball Splits Doubleheader with Vermont
April 19, 2008
ORONO, Maine - The University of Maine softball team split its doubleheader Saturday versus Vermont at Mike Kessock Field in Orono. The Black Bears won the first game by a score of 9-4, but dropped the second game by a count of 7-3. Maine improved to 7-35 overall and 6-7 in America East, while Vermont improved to 11-21 and 4-9 in the league. In the day's first game, Ashley Waters drove in a pair of runs to pace the Black Bear offense. The Black Bears gave up three runs in the first inning, but responded with a run in the bottom half of the frame and then exploded for six runs in the second inning to pull off the comeback. In the second frame, the Black Bears sent 10 batters to the plate and capitalized off three Vermont errors to score the six runs. Kristen Calvetti and Erin Iandoli had RBI singles during the frame, while the highlight came from Waters and her RBI double to the wall in center field. Maine tacked on a pair of runs in the third to go up 9-3. Whitney Spangler got credit for an RBI in the frame as she was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in a run. Waters had the Black Bears' other RBI in the inning as she hit a deep sacrifice fly to left field, which allowed Stephanie George to score on the play who was also hit by a pitcher earlier in the frame.
Jenna Balent got the start in the pitching circle for the Black Bears and turned in a fine performance to earn the win. After giving up the three runs in the first inning, Balent settled down in the middle innings, including retiring nine-straight batters. She also yielded a run in the sixth, but it did not matter as the Black Bear offense produced all the runs she needed in the initial three frames. Balent worked all seven innings, yielding four runs -- three earned -- on seven hits with seven strikeouts and only one walk.
In the day's second game, Vermont used solid pitching and defense to earn the win. The Black Bears also hurt their chances at a possible sweep by committing four errors. Both teams traded a pair of runs in the first inning. The Catamounts scored three times over the next two innings to open up a 5-2 lead heading into the bottom of the third. Maine loaded the bases with one out, and Terren Hall followed by drawing a walk to collect an RBI and force in Iandoli who singled earlier in the inning. However, Maine could not push across any more runs in the frame and could not get any closer the rest of the way. Vermont pushed a run across in both the fourth and seventh innings to pull out the win. Alexis Souhlaris started in the pitching circle for Maine was tagged with the loss after allowing five runs -- only two earned -- on five hits over three innings of work. Cayleigh Montano worked the final four innings and gave up two runs on four hits. Maine and Vermont close out the three-game set tomorrow with the series finale at 12 p.m., at Kessock Field. |
