The Maine softball team had to go extra innings in pitching duels twice Saturday afternoon, but would prevail on both ends of a non conference doubleheader against Sacred Heart at Kessock Field in Orono.
In game one, Black Bears pitcher Annie Kennedy and the Pioneers Kristen McCann battled it out in the circle. Both went the distance, as Kennedy (9-4) allowed no runs, three hits, one walk, and eight strikeouts.
McCann (10-10) was also solid, but did allow 11 walks in her 7.0 innings of work, along with two runs, and just two hits. Erika Leonard drew a leadoff walk in the eighth, and then Alyssa Derrick provided the dramatics lifting a two run walkoff homer over the right field fence for a 2-0 Maine win.
In game two, it was more of the same as both pitchers dueled in the circle.
Kyleigh O’Donnell (5-6), who eventually got the win, went the distance for Maine pitching 8.0 innings, allowing no runs, two hits, two walks, with eight strikeouts.
Emily Orosco went the first 7.0 for Sacred Heart, allowing no runs, two hits, three walks, with six strikeouts. Shyanne Fennell (2-3) took the tough luck loss in relief, as Maine pinch runner Shanna Scribner scored from first base on an errant throw by Pioneers third baseman Katelyn Christian, giving the Bears a 1-0 win and the doubleheader sweep. Maine is now 18-18, Sacred Heart is 24-17.
Maine gets back into America East play Wednesday at UMass-Lowell for a single game at 3 pm, before hosting Binghamton for a three game series next weekend.
