No. 3 seeded University of Maine (26-21) scored five runs in the bottom of the fourth to defeat No. 4 seeded Stony Brook University (25-33), 5-2, at University Field in a second round game of the America East Softball Championship, eliminating Stony Brook.
Box Score
Stony Brook got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning, on a solo home run to center field by sophomore Jane Stein, to take a 1-0 lead.
The Seawolves extended their lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the third, as sophomore Kristin Brust reached on an infield single, and advanced to third on a double by freshman Hayley Durham. A throwing error by Maine, on a Laura Bradford hit, allowed Brust to score, bringing the score to 2-0 in favor of the Seawolves.
The Black Bears responded in the top of the fourth inning with a two-run home run to left center field by freshman Brittany Cheney, which drove home sophomore Lauren Dulkis, who led off the inning with a single. Rookie Amy Kuhl got in on the action next for Mine with a single up the middle. Kuhl was then pinch run for by sophomore Christina Belmonte. Molly McKinney then stepped to the plate and recorded the third consecutive hit by a Black Bear freshman, singling to left center field, advancing Belmonte to second base. Sophomore Jenna Merchant then singled to left center to load the bases, advancing McKinney to second, and Belmonte to third. Sophomore Lindsay Tibbetts reached on an error by the shortstop, allowing McKinney and Belmonte to come home, making the score 4-2 in favor of Maine. Sophomore Jessica Brady then hit a sacrifice fly to deep left field, scoring Merchant from third, making the score 5-3 Black Bears.
Stony Brook only had a runner in scoring position once throughout the rest of the game, and were not able to cut into the Maine lead.
Merchant went the distance for the Black Bears striking out three, as Maine advances to play Boston University, Friday at 4 p.m., for the right to meet Albany in the America East Championship Game. With their second loss, Stony Brook is eliminated from the Championship.
The America East Softball Championship utilizes a double-elimination format.
Box Score
America East Softball Championship
May 8-10, University Field, Stony Brook, N.Y.
Thursday, May 8
Game 1--#2 Albany 1, #3 Maine 0
Game 2--#1 Boston University 2, #4 Stony Brook 0
Friday, May 9
Game 3--Albany 3, Boston University 0
Game 4--Maine 5, Stony Brook 2
Game 5--Boston University vs. Maine, 4 p.m.
Saturday, May 10
Game 6--Albany vs. Winner Game 5 (championship), 12 noon
Game 7--If Necessary (to follow)