Presque Isle, ME - The University of Maine at Presque Isle women's softball team captured the Sunrise Conference Championship title on Saturday afternoon in a 10-9, 20-3 double header sweep over second seeded team Fisher College of Boston. With the pair of wins, the Lady Owls move to 17-9 on the season and earn their way to a regional playoff to take place in Charleston, West Virginia.

In the first game, sophomore ss Brittany Humphrey (New Gloucester, ME) lined a two-out game winning triple to center field in the bottom of the 7^th, which scored the tying and game winning run to capture the 10-9 victory. After holding the visitors scoreless in the last two innings of the game, the Owls entered the bottom of the 7^th trailing 9-8. Pitcher Nicole Russell (Newcastle, ME) grounded out to the pitcher for the first out of the inning. Cassie Green (Truro, NS) earned a huge base-hit single, and was replaced at first by pinch-runner Carolynn Tuck (Brewer, ME). Freshman Desiree Smith (Thomaston, ME) grounded a hard ball toward shortstop, earning a double and advancing Tuck into scoring position at third base. Erin Pelletier (Madawaska, ME) struck out for the second out of the inning. Danielle Humphrey (New Gloucester, ME) reached first base on a walk, loading the bases for twin sister B. Humphrey's game winning hit. Brittany also recorded a base-hit single in the game. Erica Davis (North Yarmouth, ME) led her team from the plate with a huge three-run homer in the bottom of the first; Erica also doubled and singled in the game. Kathleen Higgins (Cole Harbour, NS) earned two-base hits and an RBI to help her team, while D. Smith smacked a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth, the first of her collegiate career.

The Falcons of Fisher were led by Brittany Calderon, who earned three hits including a two-run homerun. Michelle Oliverio and Whitcomb both doubled and singled.

Winning Pitcher Russell scattered 10 hits, walked four and struck out seven.

In the second game, the Owls jumped out to the early 4-1 lead and had huge sixth and seventh innings to earn the 20-3 win over Fisher College. UMPI had 21 hits in the game, and were lead by Emily Moore (Lisbon, ME) who went 3-for-5 from the plate, including a three-run double in the top of the sixth. Davis and Russell both singled three times, while Cassie Green earned two base hit singles and two RBI's. B. Humphrey finished the game with a double, two singles, and one RBI, while D. Humphrey had an RBI doubled and singled in the game. Desiree Smith singled three times and recorded two RBI's, while Erin Pelletier and Kathleen Higgins both singled and drove in sacrifice RBI's.

Fisher was lead by Danielle Pamerino, who earned an RBI single and Danielle Fuller who doubled in the game.

Emily Moore picked up her ninth win of the season from the mound, completing the seven inning game. Moore allowed only three hits, two earned runs, walked one, and struck out seven batters.

The Owls return to the diamond this weekend, as they travel to Charleston, West Virginia to take part in a NAIA regional qualifier with a team from the Gulf Coast Conference. The qualifier is a best out of three two-team tournament; the first game of the double-head is slated to begin on Thursday, April 30^th, with a play-off game set for Friday, May 1^st if need be. Game times are yet to be determined.