FARMINGTON, ME
The UMPI Women's Softball team travelled to Farmington to play games that originally were supposed to be played in Presque Isle but moved due to field conditions. The Owls would have last ups on Farmington's home diamond for two NAC games. Unfortunately, it was a combination of the Beavers' relentless offense, along with the Owls struggling to find timely hitting, that doomed UMPI on this day.
Game 1: (11-4 Beavers)
How it Happened:
The first inning went scoreless as the Beavers broke the 0-0 tie in the top of the second with an RBI single. They'd tack on three more in the third, to take a 4-0 lead, before UMPI battled to plate one on an RBI single from Gracelyn Walsh, but they'd strand a runner on third and settle for a 4-1 game.
The Beavers managed to score three more the next half, and three more in the top of the 5th, putting the game in run-rule territory at 10-1. The Owls had other plans however and came back with a three-run bottom of the 5th to keep the game going as the offense showed signs of life. It started with a walk and a hit by pitch, followed by a Zoe Stewart single which loaded the bases with nobody out. An RBI groundout, and a wild pitch made it 10-3 before Sabrina Kauffman stepped up and singled to center to bring in another run and make it a 10-4 ball game.
UMF grabbed one more run in the 6th inning, to make it 11-4, but UMPI couldn't respond in their last two at bats.
At the Plate:
The Owls had seven hits as a team from seven different hitters. Zoe Stewart set the tone in her new spot at the top of the order, with a hit and two runs scored. Megan Bucholz had two RBI, going 1-4. Gracelyn Walsh had an RBI and a 1-3 day, Sabrina Kauffman could say the exact same thing. Emma McNally went 1-4 with UMPI's only extra base hit of the game, a double with two outs in the 7th. Avery VonKadich and Sierra Bryant had the other two hits for UMPI.
In the Circle:
It was a joint effort between UMPI's two top arms as Gracelyn Walsh threw the first five innings, allowing six earned on ten hits, while Megan Bucholz finished the job, tossing two innings, allowing no earned runs and five hits while striking out a pair.
Game 2: (12-1 Beavers)
How it Happened:
Despite what the final scoreboard says, this one wasn't nearly as out of hand as it appeared at the end. The Beavers did jump on the Owls however, scoring three in the 1st, but UMPI was determined not to let it spiral, as they minimized the damage, and got one back in the bottom of the 1st thanks to the Stewart-Walsh connection in the 2-3 hole once again.
UMF tacked on a run in the 3rd, between a scoreless 2nd and 4th innings, and the game entered the 5th, with the Beavers in front 4-1, and still very much in hand. A four-hit top of the 5th however, brought two runs in for the Beavers as they opened the game up now, leading 6-1. The Owls struggled down the stretch offensively, and then a nightmare top of the 7th put the game out of reach as the Beavers hung a six-spot on the board and went on to take the game by a score of 12-1.
At the Plate:
Zoe Stewart continued her great season as UMPI's most consistent bat statistically, going 2-3 with a double, this time out of the two-hole. Emma McNally, Sabrina Kauffman and Caileyann Cotta all went 1-3, to round out the five UMPI hits.
In the Circle:
Gracelyn Walsh did the pitching duties for UMPI, throwing seven full innings after starter Zoe Stewart exited in the 1st inning. Walsh surrendered only three earned runs and struck out a batter on 12 hits allowed.
Next Up:
The Owls drop to 2-16 overall and 1-3 in conference play. They will take on Farmington once again on Saturday for two non-conference games. This time, the Beavers will serve as the home team.
