Orono, ME – UMPI splits their season opener with Thomas College, the double header was played Saturday at Mahaney Dome in Orono.  Owls win big in game one, 9-4, while the Terriers win the second 5-2.

In game one, the Owls came out strong with a quick 3-0 lead, coming off some early errors by the Thomas infield.  Anaiz Diaz (Tampa, FL) and Delaine Strout (Greene, ME) scored off the Terriers errors, while Sara Packard (St. Albans, ME) bunts in Hailey Davenport (Chicago, IL) for the third run of the first inning.  The Terriers fought back in the bottom of the second as Katlyn Coulter hit a two run homerun to make it 3-2.

With bases loaded in the top of the third Jackie Peers (Limestone, ME) hit a single to bring in Packard and Melanee Terry (Moreno Valley, CA), allowing UMPI to take a 5-2 lead. After another Thomas error, Roni Shaw (Payette, ID) scored to make it 6-2.  The Owls offense continued to pour it on in the fourth as Terry scored on a walk and Marissa Reagle (Seattle, WA) scored on yet another error by the Terriers.  Terry singled down the left field line to bring Alissa Edwards (Nebraska City, NE) home in the top of the fifth to increase the Owls lead, 9-2.

UMPI would hold off Thomas despite a two run fifth inning, as the Owls win 9-4 behind some explosive offense.  Lead by Terry, who finished with three hits, two runs, and one RBI.  As Packard would earn the win on the mound, throwing 4.1 innings, allowing seven hits, four runs (three earned), while striking out three.

Game two started with a 1-0 lead by the Terriers in the top half of the second.  The Owls answered as Terry scored off Thomas's first error of the game, 1-1. Thomas took the lead back at 3-1 as they scored a pair in the third.  Terry came through yet again for the Owls as she crushed a solo homerun to left center to bring it to a one point game, 3-2.

Coulter answered in the sixth with her second homerun of the day to make the score 4-2.  Thomas finished the scoring for the day with a sacrifice bunt, 5-2.  After the Owls were shut out in the sixth, the game was called due to time.  Coulter threw all six innings in the win for the Terriers, as Reagle was given the loss for UMPI surrendering two runs in two innings of relief work.

The lady Owls head to Pennsylvania to start their long road trip of 10 games in six days.  Next game is against Penn State Brandywine at Maplezone Sports Institute, PA.