WATERVILLE, ME

The UMPI Softball squad's six-game winning streak came to an end in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday afternoon in Waterville. It took eight innings to settle a pitcher's duel in game one, before UMPI couldn't quite keep the pace in game two, falling 9-5.

Game 1: 2-1 Terriers

The Owls turned to their newfound ace of their rotation in Gracelyn Walsh who had another dominant performance in the circle, that was a strong enough outing to get the win on any other day, but the Owls' offensive output was not enough to salvage a win. Both pitchers cruised, and UMPI even out-hit Thomas by a significant margin- 9-5 in team hits. Unfortunately for UMPI, hits aren't how a game is decided.

Gracelyn Walsh broke the scoreless tie herself, with a solo home run to centerfield in the top of the 3^rd inning. Thomas answered right back however, tying the game at one after three full. The game went into a stalemate after that, as both hurlers continued to do their work. Seven innings was not enough to decide this one as the game headed to the eighth still tied at one apiece.

The Owls went away in order in the top half before Thomas led off the bottom of the 8^th with a double. A single on the next batter moved the winning run to third base. A pop-up made it one out, but then a walk-off single to end it followed, giving Thomas the conference win.

Top Performers:

Gracelyn Walsh was unbelievable once again, but took the loss, going 7.1 innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs. She only walked one batter and struck out four. Walsh was also responsible for UMPI's only run – her home run back in the 3^rd.  Abby Doughty went 3-4 for UMPI, while six other players had one hit.

Game 2: 9-5 Terriers

Thomas got busy early in the offensive category in this one, scoring five runs in the first three innings, while UMPI managed two in the top of the 3^rd, keeping the game within reach for the Owls. A scoreless 4^th gave way to the Terriers squeezing four more across in the 5^th and 6^th innings, while the Owls rallied for two in the 7^th, but fell well short in the end. UMPI continued to hit the ball well, with 10 hits as a team in this one, but left seven runners aboard, and made five errors in the field, ultimately costing the Owls the chance at a doubleheader split.

Top Performers:

The Owls' 2 and 3 hitters: Zoe Stewart and Gracelyn Walsh combined 6-8 in the game, with Walsh accounting for three RBI, and adding another Home Run in the 7^th, along with a double in the 3^rd. Stewart also doubled and scored three of UMPI's five runs. Keira Greene and Megan Buchholz both went 2-4 to round out those who hit safely in the game for UMPI.

Madison Boynton started the game in the circle for UMPI, and went 4.2 innings, on three earned runs, through seven came across while she was in the game. Gracelyn Walsh finished it out, tossing the final inning and a third.

Up Next:

The Owls drop to 9-12 on the year, and 4-2 in NAC play. They will have a day off in central Maine, before getting back to action on Monday with a non-conference doubleheader at University of Maine at Augusta for an 11 a.m. start. They then will play two more NAC games at UMaine Farmington on Tuesday afternoon.