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Softball Sweeps Doubleheader from Binghamton
April 5, 2008
VESTAL, N.Y. - The University of Maine softball team extended its winning streak to three games on Saturday with a doubleheader sweep over Binghamton at East Gym Field in Vestal, N.Y. The Black Bears won by scores of 12-3 and 8-0, as both games were called after five innings as the eight-run rule took effect. Maine improved to 4-29 on the season, but more importantly are off to a terrific 4-1 start in America East play. Maine is now 7-2 in its last nine America East contests dating back to the end of last season. In the day's first game, Ashley Waters went 3-for-3 with a pair of runs driven in and three runs scored, while Kristen Calvetti went 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Kirstin Allen stroked a pair of hits, including a double, and drove in a pair of runs. Alexis Souhlaris doubled and drove in a pair for the Black Bears. Jenna Balent got the start in the pitching circle and pitched the entire five innings yielding just three runs -- one earned -- on only four hits. She struck out six and walked just one batter. Maine scored twice in both the first and third innings, but exploded for eight runs in the fifth to end the contest early. The offensive highlights of the inning included an RBI double from Allen and a two-run double by Souhlaris. Calvetti also produced a two-run single later in the frame to cap the scoring and seal the win for the Black Bears.
The hit parade continued in game two for Souhlaris, Waters and Calvetti as all three stroked two hits each. Terren Hall, who was named the America East Rookie of the Week on Monday, joined in the offensive fireworks as she pounded out three hits, drove in three runs and scored twice. Souhlaris, Jordan McLain and Erin Iandoli each homered for Maine to lead it to victory.
Souhlaris also experienced success in the pitching circle as she got the start. The sophomore hurler turned in the finest pitching performance of her young career as she allowed just one hit over five innings. She struck out a pair and walked two as well. Souhlaris earned the win, which was the first of her collegiate career. The Black Bears jumped on the Bearcats with a pair of runs in the first inning and never looked back. Hall and Calvetti each stroked RBI singles in the frame to put Maine on top 2-0. Maine exploded for five runs in the fourth to put the game out of reach. After a pair of groundouts to lead off the frame, Iandoli and Souhlaris drilled back-to-back homers to begin the rally. Hall followed a couple of batters later with a two-run double, and Calvetti capped the scoring with an RBI double of her own. Maine officially ended the game in the fifth with a solo shot by McLain, which marked her first career collegiate home run. Souhlaris' home run earlier in the inning was her fourth of the season, which moved her to within one of tying for the team lead which is currently held by Waters and Hall. The weekend's three-game series with the Bearcats was initially scheduled to be played at Mike Kessock Field in Orono. However, due to unplayable conditions, the series was moved to Vestal. Saturday's doubleheader was supposed to begin at 1 p.m., but was moved back to a 3 p.m. start, as Binghamton's field was deemed unplayable and needed last-minute repairs. The series will conclude on Sunday with a single game set to begin at 11 a.m. |
