PRESQUE ISLE, ME
The UMPI Softball team hosted their first true home games of the year on Saturday afternoon as they brought in Thomas College. UMPI competed in both games, but couldn't quite overcome early Thomas leads as the Terriers took game one 15-4, and game two by a close score of 5-2.
Game 1: (15-4 Terriers)
How it Happened:
The Terriers got on the board early and often in the first of the doubleheader. They grabbed four runs in the 1st thanks in large part to a 3-run home run from Morgan Duhaime. UMPI got a baserunner in their half but couldn't respond.
After two full scoreless innings, Thomas plated another in the 4th and 5th innings while preserving the shutout and climbed to a 6-0 advantage. Three more hits resulting in four runs in the 6th inning for UMPI made it 10-0 and it appeared like a run-rule was in order.
But the Owls made sure that this game would go the distance, as they rallied in the bottom of the 5th starting with a Zoe Stewart single. A walk followed by a Sabrina Kauffman base hit and an error brought in Stewart. With the bases loaded, Abby Doughty delivered a two RBI base hit, getting UMPI within seven and ensuring another inning.
With the score now 10-3, Thomas responded back with their biggest inning of the game as they scored five more runs on four hits to make it 15-3.
In the bottom half, the Owls got more base runners on as Emma McNally and Zoe Stewart both singled to start the inning. Sabrina Kauffman grabbed her second hit of the day, this one an RBI to drive in McNally making it 15-4. That's all the Owls would get however, as Thomas retired the next two batters to polish off the victory.
At the Plate:
Abby Doughty went 2-3 with 2 RBI to lead the offensive charge. Zoe Stewart also went 2-3 with a run. Sabrina Kauffman and Emma McNally also had two-hit days with Kauffman picking up an RBI. The Owls had eight hits as a team from these four hitters who all enjoyed a multi-hit game.
In the Circle:
Gracelyn Walsh did the pitching for UMPI, hurling all seven innings, and allowed 11 earned runs while striking out a pair of Terriers.
Game 2: (5-2 Terriers)
How it Happened:
Thomas drew first blood in this game but the Owls eventually settled down and were with them the whole way. Thoams added one run on two hits in the 1st, and two runs on two hits in the 2nd, but that's all they'd get for the next three frames.
UMPI struggled to get the bats rolling in game two, as the first baserunner, Sierra Bryant reached on an error in the bottom of the 3rd. They got two runners on in the 4th thanks to catcher's interference and a walk but left them on as Thomas worked out of a mini-jam.
In the 5th, still trailing 3-0, Emma McNally ended the no-hit bid for the Owls as she got things going with two outs with a single to left field. That brought up Zoe Stewart, UMPI's best average hitter all-season long. She proved she wasn't just a hitter for average in this at bat as she stung a ball to deep right center field, and out of the ballpark. The two-run shot was a spark of life for the Owls as they pulled within 3-2. It was Stewart's second bomb of the season.
Their energy was short lived unfortunately, as Thomas answered right back in the top of the 6th with a triple and a double to get two runs back and lead 5-2.
The Owls went in order in the last two innings as Thomas slammed the door on what was a fantastic second game of the series. The Terriers didn't score either but didn't have to as they won 5-2.
At the Plate:
There were just two hits in the second game for UMPI, both of them back-to-back in the 5th inning. An Emma McNally single followed by a Zoe Stewart home run.
In the Circle:
Megan Bucholz pitched an awesome game for UMPI, throwing all seven innings in a very gutsy effort. She allowed four earned runs on nine hits and struck out two hitters.
Next Up:
The Owls will host their senior day on Sunday afternoon, as Thomas comes back for the two final games of UMPI's season. In between the games, seniors Emma McNally and Sierra Bryant (graduating early) will be honored.
