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The University of Maine softball team won its third straight road game on Tuesday, and it did have to travel far to do it. The Black Bears beat Colby 5-2 in Waterville for their 12th win of the season.
The Black Bears got off to a good start, taking a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Third baseman Lauren Dulkis and first baseman Amy Kuhl each it singles to reach base. Dana Grimm brought them both home with a hit of her own.
Colby scored a run in the second, as they tried to keep pace with the Black Bears. Brittany Cheney hit a single in the top of the third and then Kuhl reached base on a walk. Cheney scored on a passed ball and Kuhl scored her second run of the game when Kristie Hawkins singled.
Colby again tried to fight back in the bottom of the third, but mustered just one run. Miki Starr hit a single and Essie Widlanski drove her home. Jess Brady hit a single in the top of the fourth inning for the Black Bears and then stole another base, adding to her record. She now has 18 stolen bases on the season. Dulkis’s second hit of the game was a single that scored Brady giving UMaine the 5-2 lead.
Alexis Pullen took the circle for the Black Bears and pitched the first four innings. She gave up just two hits and picked up the win, her first of the season. The game was her fourth start, and her record now stands at 1-3. Pullen, a sophomore, had not started a game since the Black Bears conference season began.
“Alexis Pullen is pitching well, and it’s just a good mix,” said UMaine head coach Michelle Puls. “We’re blessed with a compliment of four pitchers that have a variety of styles.”
Candace Jaegge pitched the last three innings and gave up just one hit. She struck out two.
The Black Bears will return home this weekend for a three game series with first place Albany. Albany is 9-1 in conference play and has swept Hartford, Stony Brook, and Vermont. Their one loss came against Boston University 2-1. However, they also beat the Terriers 13-7.
UMaine will bring to the series a 6-2 second place record.
Saturday’s doubleheader will be at noon and Sunday’s game will begin at 11 a.m. on Kessock Field.
Puls said that although her team is playing well in conference, they are not overconfident. She feels that her team’s confidence is growing.
“I think our team is pretty even keeled right now,” said Puls, “if we had a great out of conference record I think we would have confidence going into it, but because we struggled out of conference and we are doing well in conference, I think the kids are realizing that everything is starting to come together.”
Infielder Kelly Ogdon and outfielder Amber Maisonet, both players for the Great Danes, were named America East Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week. Ogden’s eight career homeruns ties an Albany record. Maisonet hit three times and drove in three runs her last time out against the Terriers.
UMaine has not won any America East weekly awards this season. Albany has won six, including three pitcher of the week awards for Amanda Morin. She will pitch against UMaine during the series.
A strong series for the Great Danes would help solidify them as the team to beat in the America East going into the conference tournament next month. With BU struggling at 4-4 a strong series for the Black Bears could bolster their bid for the regular season title.
UMBC and BU are both .500 and round out the top four. Stony Brook is in fifth at 5-5. The top four teams make the conference tournament.
Bangor Daily News