The Maine Black Bears split a non-conference softball doubleheader with the University of Massachusetts on Tuesday afternoon at Sortino Field in Amherst, Massachusetts. The Minutemen took game one by mercy rule 15-6, before the Black Bears bounced back for a 9-4 win in game two for their ever victory over UMass.
Maine twice came back in the first game to tie it, then took a 6-3 lead on a three-run homerun from Kelby Drews in the top of the fourth inning. UMass would explode though in the bottom of the fourth, scoring eight times for a five run advantage. The Minutemen finished off the victory by mercy thanks to a two-run homer by Kendra Allen in the home half of the sixth inning, part of a five RBI game. Gabbie Siciliano (0-3) took the loss in the circle in relief allowing nine runs (six earned) on six hits in just 1.0 inning of work.
Maine took an early second inning lead of 4-0 in game two, before UMass pulled within 4-3 on a three run triple by Bella Pantoja in the bottom of the second. The Black Bears added on with an RBI single by Brianna Neely, and two RBI singles by Emma Larke in the third and sixth inning. Drews also hit her second homerun of the day in the sixth, her sixth of the season was a solo shot to left center field. Neely and Larke both had three RBI to lead the way. Caitlyn Fallon (1-6) got her first pitching win of 2021 allowing three runs on seven hits in 5.2 innings. Maine sees their record go to 7-13 overall, while UMass is 7-10. The Bears are now 1-8 all-time in the series against the Minutemen.
Next up for the Black Bears is a four game series at Binghamton starting Saturday, as they get back into America East play with a 4-2 conference record so far this season.
