Balent stars as Black Bears win three

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Ashley Waters had two singles and three RBIs to help the University of Maine softball team earn a 12-3 victory Sunday over Saint Francis (Pa.) in the final day of the Panera Bread Challenge.

Maine also picked up a 5-3 win over Eastern Kentucky and a 5-2 victory over UT-Chattanooga in a Saturday doubleheader.

In Sunday’s game, Maine’s Jenna Balent allowed three hits and gave up three unearned runs to go with seven strikeouts and two walks in five innings. Kristen Calvetti singled twice drove in one run. Christine McDonald had an RBI single for Saint Francis.

In Saturday’s first game, Alexis Souhlaris hit two singles and had an RBI for the Black Bears. Balent fanned six in the 5-hitter. Shyenne Hussey slammed a three-run homer for Eastern Kentucky.

In Saturday’s second game, Maine freshman Christine McGivney tossed a four-hitter with five strikeouts for her first collegiate win. Jennifer Puccini paced the Bears with a home run, a single and three RBIs. UT-Chattanooga’s Ashley Cuticchia singled twice and knocked in a run.

(Sunday’s Game)

Maine (3-2) 050 043 – 12 13 3

Saint Francis (1-4) 010 200 – 3 3 3

(Saturday’s First Game)

Eastern Kentucky (2-5) 003 000 0 – 3 5 2

Maine (1-2) 000 140 x – 5 7 2

Anderson and Handley; Balent and Foltz

(Saturday’s Second Game)

Maine (2-2) 103 100 0 – 5 10 3

UT-Chattanooga (6-7) 101 000 0 – 2 4 1

McGivney and Soule; Woods, Frizzell (3) and Eason