On Wednesday, April 3, the University of Maine Black Bears softball team hosted St. Joseph’s Monks at the UMaine Softball Complex. The Black Bears dominated the Monks by a final score of 16-1.
UMaine second-year pitcher Alysen Reith started the game for the Black Bears and threw a scoreless first inning to set the tone for the game. She finished the day with two innings pitched and no runs allowed.
St. Joseph’s third-year pitcher Madison Pelletier started the game with a scoreless first inning as well. However, the second inning was a different story, as the Black Bears offense came alive. They started stringing hits and walks together, securing a four-run second inning. Fourth-year infielder Anna Margetis, first-year infielder Kyli Hernandez and second-year infielder Krista Francia each doubled in the inning for Maine.
Graduate student pitcher Isabelle True took over the mound and inherited a 4-0 lead for the Black Bears in the third inning. She struck out two batters in the inning, and finished with three total strikeouts during her two innings of pitching. True would earn the win for Maine, picking up her first of the season.
In the bottom of the third inning, the Black Bears broke open the game. Third-year outfielder Gabby Papushka led off the inning with a walk. Anna Margetis immediately followed this with a two-run home run over the left-center field fence, boosting the Black Bear’s score 6-0. Margetis finished the game with three hits, three runs, and three runs batted in for the Black Bears.
Third-year pitcher and infielder Rylee Page replaced Pelletier on the mound. However, a single by graduate student first-baseman Caitlyn Fallon and walks from first-year outfielder Kiera Inman and then Hernandez loaded the bases for Maine with two outs, threatening more trouble for the Monks. Francia was hit by a pitch which scored another run, and then third-year utility player Katie Jo Moery ripped a two-run single into center field. Black Bear’s Inman and Hernandez both scored on the play, making the score 9-0.
St. Joseph’s scored their lone run of the game in the top of the fourth inning. With two outs, Page, third-year outfielder Paige Connery, and second-year shortstop Charlotte Cloutier combined for three singles in a row, with Cloutier driving in Page. The score remained 9-1 after the Black Bears failed to score in the bottom of the fourth inning.
In the fifth inning, first-year pitcher Kaly Thomas took over on the mound for Maine. She made quick work of the Monks’ lineup, posting a one-two-three inning. Thomas allowed zero hits, zero runs, and just two walks in her three impressive innings of pitching.
The Black Bears posted another four-run inning in the bottom of the fifth. First-year catcher Lexi Corcoran led off the inning by recording her first collegiate hit with a single down the third baseline. This was followed by three walks from Francia, second-year infielder Madison Hand and second-year outfielder Maggie Helms. Corcoran would score on Helms’ walk, which led to third-year outfielder Rylee Kent hitting an RBI single that scored Francia. This triggered another pitching change for St. Joseph’s, as fourth-year outfielder Lydia Goodnough replaced Page.
Fallon picked up an RBI after hitting a hard ground ball to second base that resulted in a fielder’s choice. Fourth-year catcher Kennedy Priest hit a sacrifice fly to left field which scored another run. After the fifth inning ended, Maine had a 13-1 lead.
Even with two walks in the top of the sixth inning, the Monks failed to score and stranded two runners on base. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Maine reached base by hits, walks, hit by pitches, and walks. They ended up scoring three more runs, all of which came with two outs, and took a 15-run lead into the final inning.
The top of the seventh was another one-two-three inning for Thomas, and Maine picked up their second win of the season by a score of 16-1.
The Black Bears play an America East doubleheader against Bryant University this Sunday, starting at. noon at the UMaine Softball Complex.
