UM women in two wins

OCOEE, Fla. – The University of Maine softball team evened its record on the season at 8-8 after winning a pair of games Wednesday.

Maine whipped Army 16-2 in the day’s opener, lashing out 19 hits. In the nightcap, the Black Bears edged Princeton 2-1 behind pitcher Deb Smith’s three-hit pitching.

In the opener, Smith led Maine’s hit parade, driving in five runs and pounding a two-run homer. Nikki Lovell added three hits and three RBI.

Maine started with a six-run first inning. Lisa Swain doubled and scored on Smith’s homer. Kristen Steele then singled, Kris Gorman reached on a fielder’s choice, and Angel Gamache singled to load the bases. Lovell socked a sacrifice fly. Kelly Dow roped a two-run double. And Harrington ripped an RBI single.

In the fourth inning, Maine erupted for seven more runs. Swain and Lovell led the attack, each hitting two-run doubles. Cindy Harrington earned the pitching win, improving to 4-2.

Army dipped to 0-8.

In the second game, Maine scored two runs in the top of the seventh to come from behind for the victory over the Tigers.

Steele and Gorman led off the seventh with singles, advancing on an error. Lovell walked to load the bases. Kelly Dyer followed with a grounder to second which was thrown away on a play at the plate, allowing both runs to score.

Princeton (4-3) took a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning on two hits and an outfield error.

(First Game) Army 002 00 – 2 6 3 Maine 603 7x – 16 19 1

Dondue, Williams (4) and Johnston; Harrington and Dow

(Second Game) Maine 000 000 2 – 2 5 2 Princeton 000 001 0 – 1 3 2

Smith and Dow; Drill and Whalen