Maine sweeps Hartford, gets 30th win

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WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – University of Maine softball pitchers Sarah Bennis and Jenna Balent combined on a four-hit shutout in a 3-0 win over Hartford Monday afternoon, completing a three-game sweep of the Hawks.

The Black Bears beat Hartford 8-4 and 7-4 in a doubleheader Saturday afternoon. Sunday’s game was postponed to Monday due to weather.

Monday’s win was Maine’s 30th of the season, marking the second time in program history the Bears have won 30 games.

UMaine is 30-15 overall and leads the America East conference with an 11-3 record.

In Monday’s game, Bennis earned the win, scattering two hits in four innings and striking out six with one walk. Balent earned the save. Maggie Soule and Dana Grimm each had an RBI, while Molly McKinney singled twice.

Kristen Cericola hit two singles for the Hawks.

In Saturday’s first game, Maine scored four runs on five hits in the top of the fourth, including a double by Kristie Hawkins and RBI singles from Tara Vilardo and Ashley Waters. Erin Provost added a two-run single in the fifth.

In Saturday’s second game, Balent fanned nine for her 11th win. Waters went 2-for-4 including a two-run homer.

(Monday’s Game)

Maine (30-15) 021 000 0 – 3 5 0

Hartford (13-17) 000 000 0 – 0 4 0

Bennis, Balent (5) and Soule, Foltz (5); Eichler, McMillon (3) and Thompson

(Saturday’s First Game)

Maine 110 420 0 – 8 13 0

Hartford 120 100 0 – 4 9 2

Bennis, Balent (5) and Soule; Rout, McMillon (6) and Thompson

(Saturday’s Second Game)

Maine 321 010 0 – 7 12 3

Hartford 101 002 0 – 4 5 2

Balent and Foltz; McMillon, Eichler (6) and Thompson

Baseball

Bowdoin 4, St. Joseph’s 4

At Brunswick, the Polar Bears and Monks played to a tie through nine innings as darkness halted the contest.

Jon Koperniak’s RBI triple capped a three-run eighth inning for Bowdoin. Ricky Leclerc and Jared Lemieux added an RBI single apiece in the inning. Chris McCann notched an RBI single in the ninth.

Dustin Spllier’s solo home run paced the Monks and Wade Oliver added a two-run triple.

St. Joseph’s (21-5-1) 002 001 001 – 4 7 1

Bowdoin (27-6-1) 000 000 031 – 4 9 3

Stout, Tupper (8) and Rodden; Waldorp, Bulger (8) and Buckley