As the University of Maine softball team heads into its second straight America East weekend and conference home opener, it’s clear what has powered the Black Bears this year.

Maine pitchers, especially senior Sarah Bennis and redshirt freshman Jenna Balent, are leading the league with their 1.79 earned run average after 32 games. They’ll lead 20-12 Maine into a three-game series against Vermont starting Saturday with a doubleheader at noon and a single game Sunday at noon.

In addition, Balent (1.58) and Bennis (1.98) ranked third and fourth, respectively, among America East pitchers in individual ERA.

Balent (8-8) was named the league pitcher of the week for back-to-back, two-hit shutouts against Stony Brook last weekend. Bennis (11-4) garnered the same honor on March 16 for her 10-1 start to the season, a stretch in which she had a 1.51 ERA.

Opposing batters have hit .194 against Bennis and .196 vs. Balent, which also puts the two Maine pitchers in the top four. Bennis has struck out 96 pitchers, which is second in America East, and Balent has fanned 78, which is sixth.

The Black Bears have given up 4.8 hits and 2.3 runs per game, but just 1.75 of those were earned.

UM’s pitchers have allowed 1.8 walks per game.

The Black Bears will get a good look at another of the league’s top pitchers. Vermont’s Aimee Kern, who has a 1.56 ERA to go with an 8-6 record.

Juskewitch helps lead Ithaca

Ellen Juskewitch of Dedham helped the Ithaca College crew team pick up a win at a regatta Saturday in Ithaca, N.Y.

Juskewitch, a freshman sixth seat on the second varsity 8 boat, and the rest of the Ithaca crew beat William Smith and Marist with a winning time of 7:23.9.

Amy Bates of Holden, a freshman second seat on Ithaca’s lightweight 8 boat, helped the Bombers finished third.