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Softball Rallies for Crucial 6-4 Win Over Boston University on Wednesday
April 26, 2006
ORONO, Maine - The University of Maine softball team pushed across four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to pull off the come-from-behind 6-4 win over Boston University on Wednesday afternoon at Kessock Field. The win gave Maine a 2-1 series win over BU for the season, as both teams split a doubleheader in Boston back on April 12. The win pushed the Black Bears' record to 31-15 overall and 12-3 in America East. BU fell to 22-24 overall and 8-7 in conference play. Maine, which sits atop the conference standings, stands one win shy of tying the school for most wins in a single season. The victory was the fifth straight for the Black Bears and seventh in their last eight. The Black Bears have won all five of their conference series this season. They have swept both Vermont and Hartford, and have taken 2-of-3 from Stony Brook, Boston U. and the defending conference champion Albany Great Danes. Maine has won nine of its last 12 conference series dating back to last season.
Trailing 4-2 heading into the sixth, Ashley Waters (Amesbury, Mass.) got things started for the Black Bears by leading off with a base hit. Brittany Cheney (Abington, Mass.) followed and kick started the scoring as she blasted a double off the wall in left-center, which plated Waters all the way from first. Molly McKinney (Byron Center, Mich.) drew a walk after Cheney's base hit and was followed to the plate by Amy Kuhl (Phoenix, Ariz.). Kuhl delivered a bloop single down the left field line, which scored Cheney to knot the score. However, a misplay of the ball by the BU left fielder enabled McKinney to also come home and put Maine on top for good. Meagan Ramos (North Berwick, Maine) pinch ran for Kuhl and scored later in the frame on a throwing error by BU's catcher to make it 6-4.
The rally did not stop the Terriers from making things interesting in the top of the seventh. Boston U. loaded the bases with two outs in the frame, but Jenna Balent (Conifer, Colo.) got a strike out for the final out and earned the win. Balent, who came on for starter Sarah Bennis (Pownal, Maine) with two outs in the sixth, ran her record to 12-9 on the season. She struck out two, walked one and yielded a pair of hits in 1.1 innings. Bennis worked 5.2 innings and gave up three runs on 10 hits. She also struck out seven and walked three. The Terriers scored twice in the second inning to stake a 2-0 lead. However, Maine rallied for a pair of runs in the third when Erin Provost (Peru, N.Y.) blasted a two-run home over the wall in right-center field. Provost ended the game by going 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored. In her last five games, Provost is batting .615 (8-for-13) with seven RBI. BU scored a run in both the fourth and sixth innings to take the two-run advantage before Maine rallied for the win in the home half of the sixth. Maine will look to extend its winning streak and break the school-record for wins in a single season this weekend when the Black Bears play host to Binghamton in a three-game set at Kessock Field. Saturday's doubleheader will begin at 2 p.m., with Sunday's contest set to start at 12 p.m. Saturday's doubleheader will be Strike Out For Cancer Day. Fans attending the game are encouraged to wear the color pink to symbolize the battle against cancer. Representatives from the American Cancer Society will be on hand to talk about the disease the fight they are waging against it. Fans can make a monetary donation to the organization or make a monetary pledge for each strikeout a Black Bear pitcher records. The Friends of Maine Softball will also be on hand at the game and will be raffling away several gift baskets. Admission to all Maine home softball games at Kessock Field is free. |
