ORLANDO – Sarah Bennis pitched six strong innings to improve to 7-0 on the season as the University of Maine softball team beat Toledo 9-3 in the first game of a doubleheader Thursday.

The Black Bears later fell to Providence, 3-1.

In the first game, Bennis gave up only three runs and struck out seven Rockets for Maine.

Amy Kuhl hit two doubles, a single and knocked in five runs while Erin Provost went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a single and drove in one run.

In the second game, Sara Surosky struck out 14 Black Bears as Providence baffled Maine to take the win.

Brittany Cheney’s RBI double was the lone bright spot for Maine.