Black Bears split twinbill as pitching carries the day

STONY BROOK, N.Y. – Jenna Merchant (16-10) pitched a four-hitter, struck out two batters, and walked one to lead Maine to a 1-0 victory in the opener of Monday’s America East Conference college softball doubleheader.

The Stony Brook Patriots came back to post a 3-1 victory in the second game of the twinbill, which was postponed from Sunday due to bad weather.

In the first game, Erica Sobel’s RBI double in the sixth plated the lone run. Katie Churchill had two singles in three at-bats to lead the Black Bears. Leigh Ann Hlywak also hit a double. Candace Jaegge allowed five hits in 5? innings.

Stephanie Poetzsch (16-14) went the distance for Stony Brook, pitching a five-hitter and striking out six while walking one.

In the second game, Lindsey DeLaRosa (6-11) pitched a four-hitter to hold the Black Bears at bay.

Stephanie DiBiase led Stony Brook’s offense with an RBI double, a solo home run, a single, and a stolen base.

Hlywak led Maine with a double and a single. Sobel’s RBI single in the first produced the only run.

(First Game)

Maine (22-28) 000 001 0 – 1 5 1

Stony Brook (22-25) 000 000 0 – 0 4 1

Merchant and Tibbetts; Poetzsch and McCarthy

(Second Game)

Maine 100 000 0 – 1 4 3

Stony Brook 002 010 0 – 3 5 1

Jaegge, Merchant (6) and Bain; DeLaRosa and McCarthy

Bowdoin 5, Colby 4

At Brunswick, a wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh scored Brittany Carr, capping off a two-run rally to give the Polar Bears the victory.

Michelle Jackson and Jessie Mayol both scored in the sixth to cut Colby’s lead to 4-3 heading to the seventh. In the seventh, Rachel Gordon’s grounder to short scored the tying run, setting up the game-winner.

Marcy Wagner, Kate Trasher, and Carrie Morin all scored during a three-run fourth for the White Mules of Waterville.

Colby (12-12-2) 000 310 0 – 4 4 3

Bowdoin (24-8-1) 000 102 2 – 5 6 4

Caswell, Trasher (6) and Riley; Poulin and Sheridan