Orono, ME – The Owls softball team hosted their first North Atlantic Conference match up of the year, hosting NVU-Johnson in Orono, Maine at the U-Maine Dome. The Owls would walk away with two wins on the first of their NAC doubleheader weekend, beating the Badgers 16-10 and 7-5.

Game 1 (16-10 – Owls):

How it happened:

The Owls found themselves down early as they gave up eight runs in just the first inning off five hits, including three doubles that brought in four runners. The Owls answered with a four run first, off four hits and two stolen bases. Another RBI double by the Badgers in the second gave them a 9-4 lead. Another answer by the Owls gave them three runs in the second to bring the lead to just two. The Badgers tenth and final run came in the third, from then on the Owls would take the lead in the bottom of the fourth. A two RBI homer by Jordan Hansen (Phillips, NE) highlighted the Owls six-run fourth inning. The Owls added their final three runs of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning off three hits and a stolen base, all while allowing only three hits.

On the mound:

Olivia Riitano (Abbot, ME) earned her first win of the year on the mound for the Owls, pitching the complete game. Riitano let up ten hits and ten earned runs on the seven innings, while pitching 100 pitches. Mariah Muskin started the game for the Badgers while Jennavieve Rapoza and Alexis Fleischer each pitch two innings.

At the plate:

Hansen finished the game with two hits and three RBI's on her five at bats. Anaiz Diaz led the team with four RBI's while hitting three for five as well. Reagan Calvin and Zoe Aylward-Frank each also recorded three hits and two RBI's. The Owls totaled 17 hits on 38 at bats.

Game 2 (7-5 – Owls):

How it happened:

The Owls found themselves down early yet again, allowing three runs off two hits and an error. Although, the Owls tied it up right away with a three-run first off four hits, and a double steal allowing Hansen to take home. The teams continued to go back and forth as they each scored another run each in the second inning, the Badgers scoring off a ground out and the Owls scoring off Jordan Hansen's (Phillips, NE) yet another homer. The Owls took their first lead in the third, scoring two more runs off three hits. In the fourth, Hansen blasted her second homer of the game, third of the day to give the Owls their seventh run. A double by the Badgers later allowed a run to score in the fifth to bring the Owls lead to two runs, before UMPI was able to put it away, shutting out the Badgers in the next two innings.

On the mound:

Hansen not only hit the ball well, she pitched the complete game earning her second win of the year on the mound. Striking out four batters and allowing only five hits and four earned runs in the seven innings. Alexis Fleischer pitched the complete game for the Badgers.

At the plate:

Hansen finished the game hitting four hits on four at bats and two RBI's, including her two homers, as she currently leads the NAC with seven homers on the year. Anaiz Diaz, Savannah Rodriguez, and Zoe Aylward-Frank each had two hits on three at bats and finished with one RBI each. 

The Owls will continue their NAC doubleheader weekend as they host NVU-Lyndon tomorrow.