Jenna Balent (Conifer, CO) helped the Black Bears climb up the America East standings by picking up two wins over the University of Vermont. In two appearances on the mound last weekend, Balent struck out 17 batters and registered two complete game victories.

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.

Curt Smith (Willemstad, Curacao) turned in a solid performance at the plate last week during Maine's road trip to Coppin State and UMBC. In five games Smith was 8 for 18 from the plate with eight runs scored and seven RBI's. Smith belted his eighth homerun of the season in a 13-1 Maine victory over Coppin State last Thursday.

Smith Belts Eighth Home Run in Victor

Curt Smith (Willemstad, Curacao) went three-for-five with three runs scored and four RBI, while Billy Cather (Worcester, Mass.) was three-for-six with two runs scored and three RBI to lead the University of Maine baseball team to a 13-1 win over Coppin State on Wednesday afternoon in Baltimore, Md. The Black Bears improve to 12-16-1 on the season with the victory.

Maine jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Cather reached on an error and stole second and third base. Smith followed with a double to left center field scoring Cather. Smith scored when Myckie Lugbauer (Mahopac, N.Y) singled to right field.

The Black Bears added single runs in both the second and third innings. Joey Martin (Portland, Maine) doubled in the top of the second and scored when Cather singled through the right side. Cather then stole his third base in the game tying a school record for stolen bases in a game with three. It is the 17th time in school history that a Maine player has stolen three bases in a game. Joe Hough was the last to accomplish the feat in 2006.

Smith walked to lead off the third inning and scored on an attempted double steal. Coppin State scored its lone run in the bottom of the fourth inning.

The Black Bears added eight runs in the top of the seventh inning. Tony Patane (New Milford, Conn.) led off the inning and singled through the left side. Jarrett Lukas (Old Town, Maine) reached on an error and Patane advanced to second base. Kevin Jackson (Wappingers Falls, N.Y.) reached on an error and Patane scored. Joe Mercurio (Brewster, N.Y.) also reached on an error to load the bases. Cather ripped a two-run single up the middle plating both Lukas and Jackson. Danny Menendez (Miami, Fla.) then singled through the right side scoring Mercurio. Smith followed and blasted a three-run home run to left center field. Cather and Menendez scored ahead of Smith, giving Maine a 11-1 lead. Kevin McAvoy (Brewer, Maine) reached on a fielder's choice. Matt Howard (Weston, Mass.), who pinch ran for McAvoy, scored when Jackson singled.

The Black Bears capped the scoring with a single run in the top of the ninth inning. Patane reached on an error and advanced to second base. Lukas singled up the middle and Patane advanced to third base and scored when Jackson singled through the right side.

Joel Thorney (Toronto, Ontario) got the start for Maine and went seven innings. He allowed just one run on four hits while striking out seven batters. He earns the win and improves to 2-1 on the season. Nolan Boike (Arlington, Mass.) pitched the eighth inning for the Black Bears and allowed two hits while striking out a pair. Ryan Forrest (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) pitched the ninth and struck out one batter without allowing a hit.