Deb Smith is returning to her adopted home. Smith, an outstanding softball player at the University of Maine who went on to become the America East Coach of the Year at her alma mater in 2002, has been named the new softball coach at Maine. Read More
BANGOR – Bob Leib is much too modest to refer to it in such lofty terms, but his retirement marks the passing of an era and the end of an institution at the University of Maine-Farmington. The longtime coach called it a career after nearly… Read More
What do you call a team that sets a school record for home runs in a season, and still manages to lose its first 28 games and 39 of 50 games? Well, if you’re University of Maine softball coach Stacy Sullivan, you do it this… Read More
BANGOR – Lesley University softball coach Jennifer Benway decided she would ride the right arm of Alicia Burnett throughout the North Atlantic Conference tournament. Burnett justified her coach’s faith and then some as she capped an MVP performance with a 6-1 complete-game victory over the… Read More
BANGOR – The stress of an elimination game produced an entertaining battle between the Husson College Eagles and Thomas College Terriers in their North Atlantic Conference softball losers bracket game Friday afternoon. There was clutch pitching, timely hits, defensive gems and no shortage of mistakes… Read More
BANGOR – The game seemed to last about as long as it took one of Husson College’s home runs to clear the outfield fence in Wednesday afternoon’s North Atlantic Conference quarterfinal softball playoff game. The top-seeded Eagles put it all together Wednesday with offense (11… Read More
ORONO – The University of Maine softball team scored nine runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and knocked off America East leader Boston University 13-9 Wednesday afternoon. With the Terriers leading 9-4, the Bears sent 13 batters to the plate and scored nine… Read More
ORONO – The University of Maine shook off a slow start and took advantage of errors by the University of Vermont to win the first game, then the Catamounts made Maine pay for miscues to win the second. The Black Bears pounced on the Catamounts… Read More
BANGOR – The stage was set for Thursday’s non-conference softball doubleheader between Husson College and the University of Maine-Presque Isle. Husson’s Eagles were swept by conference foe Thomas College in a Wednesday doubleheader, and UMPI’s Owls were coming off a two-week stretch of no game… Read More
ORONO – No words were needed to convey what University of Maine softball coach Stacey Sullivan thought of Tuesday afternoon’s 1-0 victory over Colby College of Waterville at Kessock Field. The way she crumpled the sheet of paper with the boxscore on it into a… Read More
CASTINE – The Husson College softball team combined clutch hitting up and down the lineup with efficient pitching efforts from two freshmen Thursday to sweep a doubleheader from Maine Maritime Academy and remain unbeaten in conference play. The Eagles won the first game 8-1 and… Read More
The University of Maine baseball team faced a dilemma this week. The Black Bears could either help Husson College shovel a considerable amount of snow off the FieldTurf at Winkin Baseball Complex in Bangor – or take a nine-hour bus ride to Newark, N.J., to… Read More
STONY BROOK, N.Y. – Terren Hall’s two-run home run in the top of the 12th inning boosted the Maine softball team to an 8-6 victory over Stony Brook Sunday as the Black Bears took two of three in their conference openers and snapped an 0-28 streak. Read More
An 0-24 record. A .192 team batting average. A 4.89 earned run average. They’re not pretty numbers. But that’s what the University of Maine softball team is dealing with after wrapping up its two-week road trip to tournaments in Florida and Hawaii. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
CLEARWATER, Fla. – Alison Savarese hit a bases loaded single to left field in the bottom of the seventh to drive in the winning run and give the University of South Florida a 5-4 win over the University of Maine in the USF Tournament. Maine’s… Read More
The University of Maine softball team begins its spring trip – or, rather, cross-country journey – Friday when the Black Bears take on America East Conference foe Albany in Deland, Fla. The Bears will move on to Clearwater, Fla., on March 4. Then it’s off… Read More
GREENVILLE, N.C. – The University of Maine softball team started its 2008 season Friday with a pair of loses in the East Carolina Pirate Classic. Ohio University beat the Black Bears 4-1 in the opener, and host East Carolina won the second game 7-1. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
ORONO – A young but experienced University of Maine softball team will leave behind the snow and ice here for the relative warmth of North Carolina this week when the Black Bears open their season Friday against Ohio University at the Pirate Classic in Greenville, N.C. Read More
Jon McAllian watched the University of Maine men’s basketball team play Fisher College on Tuesday night with special interest – he was just hours away from signing up to join the Black Bears. “I pictured myself out there playing with those guys,” said McAllian, a… Read More
ORONO – Nine home dates and a trip to Hawaii will be among the highlights for the University of Maine softball team, which released its 2008 schedule this week. The Black Bears will also play teams from major conferences including the ACC, Big 12, Big… Read More
If the goal of any Division I program is the advance to postseason play, the University of Maine softball team fell short this season. One year after setting a school record for most wins in a season (35) and wining the America East regular season… Read More
ORONO – It was rainy and cold. The field was wet. And the University of Maine softball team was in what seemed like a deep hole against a dominating Albany squad. Considering the weather and field issues alone, it might not have been out of… Read More
CASTINE – Maine Maritime Academy scored six runs in the fifth inning to defeat Lesley University 10-9 in softball action Friday. Nicole Poland had four hits and scored three runs for the 4-13 Lady Mariners. Kristen Gaylord also scored three times. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
ORONO – There was some measure of emotion as the University of Maine softball team finally held a game Tuesday afternoon at Mike Kessock Field for the first time this season. But home wasn’t a very welcome place for the Black Bears. Not only were… Read More
BURLINGTON, Vt. – The University of Maine scored twice in the top of the seventh inning Sunday to rally for a 3-2 America East softball victory over the University of Vermont and a sweep of their three-game weekend series at Archie Paul Field. Maine (21-22… Read More
As a star high school athlete in New Hampshire Alexis Souhlaris ended her career with a ton of awards, from all-state field hockey recognition to state and school track and field records to state softball Player of the Year awards. Still, the University of Maine… Read More
CASTINE – For most of the season, Cassie Berry has batted in the third or fourth spot for the Husson College softball team. She didn’t do well there, Berry admitted Saturday, and seemed to be bunting the ball in the infield. Not exactly the kind of power a… Read More
CASTINE – The Maine Maritime Academy softball team hit the ball hard in the first game of Sunday morning’s North Atlantic Conference doubleheader against Wheelock College at Ritchie Field. The Mariners just couldn’t find the openings. The gaps appeared for MMA at key moments in… Read More
STANDISH – Gabrielle Burrola allowed just one run on four hits while striking out 13 and walking none to lead Saint Joseph’s College to the 2-1 softball win over Husson College of Bangor in the first game on Saturday. The Monks beat the Eagles 9-8 in the second… Read More
ORONO – The University of Maine softball team got back to practice this week after ending a two-week swing through Florida, which followed a three-day tournament in Tennessee. The team’s return isn’t exactly what it envisioned. After playing 27 games on grass, the Black Bears… Read More
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… Read More
The 2006 season ended a lot earlier than the University of Maine softball team would have liked. After earning the America East conference regular-season title and the right to host the conference tournament, the Black Bears bowed out with two tourney losses and little to show for a… Read More
Mike Kessock Field, home to the University of Maine softball team, is undergoing a series of improvements that donors and those close to the program hope will put the finishing touches on the facility and turn it into one of the top softball complexes in the east. Read More
Instead of playing for the America East championship, several University of Maine softball players had to watch from the stands at Kessock Field Saturday as Albany won its second straight conference title. Maine’s early exit from the four-team, double-elimination tourney was a sour finish for… Read More
ORONO – The University of Maine softball team set team records for wins this year, won all seven of its America East series, and earned the regular-season championship and the right to host the postseason tournament at Kessock Field. But all of those accomplishments couldn’t… Read More
ORONO – Instead of kicking off the America East postseason tournament with a win in front of a home crowd, the University of Maine softball team struggled in all aspects of the game against Boston University Thursday. The top-seeded Black Bears managed just one hit… Read More
Not much gets past Brittany Cheney. Whether it’s in the shortstop position, at the plate, or in the classroom, the University of Maine softball senior has excelled over the years. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
ORONO – The University of Maine softball team picked up two major America East honors Wednesday night. First-year head coach Stacey Sullivan was named the league’s Coach of the Year, while redshirt freshman pitcher Jenna Balent was named the conference Rookie of the Year. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
CHICOPEE, Mass. – Senior Kristi Guzzo allowed just four hits and one walk while striking out four to earn a 2-0 win over Thomas College to give Elms College the North Atlantic Conference softball championship Saturday. Thomas of Waterville had edged Castleton State 1-0 to… Read More
ORONO – The University of Maine softball team celebrated its doubleheader victory Friday evening the same way the Black Bears have celebrated most of their wins this season. They strode out of their dugout at Kessock Field and congratulated their pitcher on another top-notch performance. Read More
Even before the University of Maine softball team left on its spring trip in February, Black Bears coach Stacey Sullivan said she felt pitcher Jenna Balent would be key to Maine’s prospects this season. Sullivan’s prediction has come true. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot… Read More
ORONO – The Binghamton softball team couldn’t have been any more excited to get the final out in Sunday’s 1-0 win over the University of Maine. Still, the Black Bears got the best of the Bearcats in the three-game series, sweeping a doubleheader Saturday, picking… Read More
ORONO – All week, the minds of the University of Maine softball team members have been on Wednesday’s single game against Boston University. In fact, the matchup against the Terriers has been several weeks in the making. The two teams split a doubleheader on April… Read More
ORONO – In addition to contending with the Colby College softball team, the University of Maine had to deal with a swirling wind during Tuesday afternoon’s game at Kessock Field. And Colby had to deal with Maine’s pitchers, two of whom combined to throw a… Read More
BANGOR – The Saint Joseph’s College softball team entered Friday afternoon’s doubleheader against Husson College with a six-game winning streak and a lot of confidence. Two big innings – one in each game at the O’Keefe Complex – gave the Monks of Standish even more… Read More
ORONO – Small ball, big hits, outstanding pitching, and defense. The University of Maine softball team used every weapon in its arsenal to sweep Vermont in an America East series over the weekend at Kessock Field. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
STONY BROOK, N.Y. – Jenna Balent tossed a two-hit shutout, her second in as many days, as the University of Maine softball team earned a 1-0 victory over Stony Brook to take two of three games from the Seawolves as the Black Bears opened America East conference play. Read More
ORONO – The University of Maine softball team opened its 2006 home schedule over the weekend with a Saturday doubleheader inside the new Mahaney Dome practice facility. The Black Bears rallied in both games to defeat Merrimack College 6-2 and then 5-4 in eight innings. Read More
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Husson College coach John Winkin led the Eagles to a 6-3 victory over Drew University Sunday, posting his 1,000th career coaching victory. Jason Harvey tripled, doubled, and walked twice to drive in three runs for the Eagles, who are now 5-3. Read More
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. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
ORLANDO, Fla. – Sarah Bennis pitched a one-hit shutout as the University of Maine softball team earned a 2-0 win in the opening game of a doubleheader against Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne, while Maine scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to beat the Mastadons in the… Read More
BANGOR – With a wealth of returning starters and other players back and a strong freshman class, the Husson College softball team is thinking playoffs again. The Eagles, whose season ended in an 8-4 playoff loss to Thomas College of Waterville, return five starters and… Read More
ORONO – The University of Maine softball team opens play this week with a number of new faces. And at the same time, the Black Bears have some of the same faces back. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
The University of Maine softball team has been picked to finish fourth in America East in the preseason coaches poll released Wednesday. Defending America East champion Albany was selected to retain its title, receiving six first-place votes and 62 points from the coaches. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
ORONO – The University of Maine softball team has received National Letters of Intent from eight players to attend the school starting in the fall of 2006, first-year UMaine softball coach Stacey Sullivan announced Monday. The eight players include Stephanie George, Jessica Ghazali, Erin Iandoli,… Read More
Stacey Sullivan always felt privileged to be a student-athlete at the University of Maine. That feeling, she believes, will carry over as she takes over the softball team for which she once played. And it was clear that the school feels the same about her. Read More
The University of Maine softball team goes into its offseason with the major challenge of how to generate more offense, a problem that popped up again in the Black Bears’ two shutout losses in last week’s America East tournament. “We have to be more consistent… Read More
STONY BROOK, N.Y. ? University of Maine pitcher Sarah Bennis notched 10 strikeouts, but her third-seeded Black Bears fell to No. 2 Boston University 1-0 in extra innings Thursday afternoon. The America East playoff loss leaves Maine 16-25 overall. The Black Bears will face Stony… Read More
Looking back on how the UMaine-Farmington softball team won the North Atlantic Conference championship, coach Bob Leib still has a hard time believing the Beavers have advanced to the NCAA Division III tournament. But some big early season defensive changes and a strong showing of… Read More
ORONO ? The Boston University softball team calls her Smiley. Albany parents wondered during a recent home game how she could seem to cheerful with two runners on base and no outs. Opposing players hate striking out and walking back to the dugout, glancing to the circle and… Read More
ORONO – The sun finally came out from behind the clouds moments after the final out of Monday’s University of Maine softball doubleheader, but the Black Bears had gotten their good news earlier in the day, when the sky above Kessock Field was still dark. Read More
ORONO – The University of Maine softball team will close out the regular season this weekend with a three-game series against Stony Brook. Although things aren’t do-or-die for the Black Bears to make the postseason, the team needs at least one win to sew up a spot in… Read More
The Husson College of Bangor, UMaine-Farmington and Thomas College of Waterville softball teams have all advanced to the North Atlantic Conference playoffs which start this afternoon. Lasell College of Newton, Mass., earned the No. 1 seed in the conference’s East division with an 8-2 league… Read More
ORONO – The intensity was supposed to be up for the University of Maine softball team as it welcomed America East-leading Albany to Kessock Field this weekend. That wasn’t evident Saturday, as the Black Bears dropped a doubleheader in which they managed just six hits… Read More
BANGOR – After a tough stretch of games, Husson College softball coach Charlie Hamel gave some of his regular starters – especially the pitchers – a bit of a break for Monday’s nonconference doubleheader against University of Maine at Presque Isle. The Eagles got pitching… Read More
The University of Maine softball team had a little less than 48 hours to get ready for a doubleheader against rival Boston University starting at noon today. But after taking two of three against Hartford, including an eighth-inning victory Sunday, the Black Bears are feeling… Read More
ORONO – Amy Kuhl’s weekend seemed to mirror the way things went for the entire University of Maine softball team in its three-game, two-day conference series against Hartford. Kuhl hit well in Maine’s 7-1 series-opening win Saturday. Hawks pitcher Briana Hout shut her down in… Read More
ORONO – In some ways, the University of Maine softball team’s recent trip to Florida was frustrating. There wasn’t as much warm weather and sun as in past years. The Black Bears’ offense took time to come around. And Maine returned with a 4-11 record, including several bad-luck… Read More
DELAND, Fla. – Brittany Cheney knocked an RBI single while Lauren Dulkis hit two singles to lead the University of Maine softball team to a 5-4, eight-inning victory over St. Bonaventure on Sunday. On Saturday, the Black Bears beat St. Bonaventure 8-1 for their first… Read More
The University of Maine softball team had one of the most successful seasons in program history last year and returns all but one full-time infielder and all of its power hitting and pitching. But the Black Bears are trying to remember one important thing: all of their successes… Read More
It wasn’t the thick black eye makeup Kristina Thorson wears while pitching that put a scare into the University of Maine softball team. It wasn’t the California standout’s dyed black-and-red hair or nose ring, either. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
LINCOLN, Neb. – Six little bunts, and the University of Maine softball team’s season ended in an elimination game at an NCAA regional tournament. The eighth-seeded Black Bears struggled to hit again Friday in their elimination game against Iowa, while the No. 5-seeded Hawkeyes went… Read More
LINCOLN, Neb. – There was a lot of speculation and some wishes about where in the nation the Maine softball team would be sent for its NCAA regional. Black Bear outfielders Dana Grimm and Molly McKinney are from Michigan, so there was some hope the… Read More
LINCOLN, Neb. – Was it really possible that the University of Maine softball team – the No. 8 seed in the NCAA regional tournament here, a squad that hadn’t gotten this far in the postseason in 10 years – could really be in a scoreless game in the… Read More
LINCOLN, Neb. – When Seth Brady was young, he didn’t like playing catch with older sister Jess Brady. Seems she threw the ball a bit too hard. Years later Seth Brady is still amazed by his sister, now the starting center fielder for the University… Read More
LINCOLN, Neb. – It’s been 10 years since the University of Maine softball team played in an NCAA tournament. For California it’s been almost 12 months … since the Golden Bears played in the softball World Series. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
For the University of Maine, earning a spot in this year’s NCAA Division I Softball Tournament is a rare and much-celebrated occasion. At the University of California, competing in the NCAAs is more of a tradition. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
ORONO – The University of Maine softball team pounded out 11 hits in Saturday’s America East conference championship game. Good enough to win, right? googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i… Read More
GLENBURN – Deb Smith remembers exactly how it felt to hear the University of Maine called as the pairings and seedings for the NCAA softball tournament are announced. She went through it as a senior pitcher when the Black Bears made it to the tourney… Read More
MANSFIELD, CONN. -Leon Galemba knocked a two-run double to cap a three-run third inning Saturday, helping lift Eastern Connecticut to the Little East Conference baseball championship with a 9-3 victory over the University of Southern Maine. Scott Hawyard belted a solo homer for the winners… Read More
ORONO – Getting to the America East championship tournament was a season-long goal for the University of Maine softball team. The idea of playing in the postseason double-elimination tourney, to be hosted by Maine for the first time, pushed the Black Bears through some rough spots this spring. Read More
ORONO – Three losses to Albany in the regular season didn’t deter the University of Maine when it came to Thursday’s America East conference tournament. That’s because all three of the Bears’ losses were close – two were one-run games, including a 14-inning marathon, and… Read More
ORONO – University of Maine softball player Sara Asadoorian had a tough decision to make before last Saturday’s doubleheader at Hartford – play in what could have been the final games of the Black Bears’ season, or participate in graduation ceremonies here. The senior chose… Read More
ORONO – The University of Maine softball team often shows good patience at the plate and makes solid contact to put the ball into play. But it doesn’t do much good when you start something with two outs, and that’s the situation Maine found itself… Read More
ORONO – Amy Kuhl couldn’t stick around too long to bask in the postgame glow of the Maine softball team’s 2-0 victory over Boston University, but there were plenty of other people willing to talk what the sophomore did to lift the Black Bears to a split in… Read More
ORONO – Coming off of a disappointing conference weekend and heading into what should be a tough conference day, the University of Maine softball team got a bit of a lift with a 7-1 victory over Colby College Tuesday. The Black Bears pounded out 13… Read More
ALBANY, N.Y. – Andrea Lindgren scattered four hits while striking out four and Ashley Rios went 3-for-3 with an RBI as the University of Albany softball team blanked Maine 2-0 Sunday to complete a three-game series sweep of the Black Bears. The Great Danes won… Read More
The University of Maine softball team has had to juggle its schedule this spring because of bad weather and field conditions up and down the east coast. One of those postponements has been rescheduled for Friday, and it might turn out to be a good move for the… Read More
ORONO – Near the tail end of an imperfect game, Brittany Cheney stepped into the perfect spot for a bit of heroism for the University of Maine softball team. Cheney’s two-out single in the bottom of the seventh plated pinch runner Tara Vilardo, boosting the… Read More
OLD TOWN -Danielle Lee pitched no-hitters on Saturday and Sunday and registered a combined 27 strikeouts without a walk to propel the University of Maine-Presque Isle to a four-game weekend sweep of the College of St. Joseph (Vt.). The Owls won Saturday’s games 27-0 and… Read More
GORHAM – Christen Lachappelle hit a three-run triple in the bottom of the third inning of the first game Friday to help lead the University of Southern Maine to a 5-1 softball victory over the University of Massachusetts Boston on their way to a sweep of a doubleheader. Read More
ORONO – The University of Maine softball team put a complete game together Friday in a series-opening game against the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Sarah Bennis threw a two-hitter and the Bears got production from each spot in the lineup en route to a… Read More
MAINE vs. MARYLAND BALTIMORE COUNTY Time, site: Friday, 4 p.m.; Saturday (2), 11 a.m., Kessock Field, Orono googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++) {… Read More
CASTINE – Carolyn McAvoy helped lead the Husson College Braves to a softball doubleheader sweep over Maine Maritime Academy Tuesday with a 10-1 win in the first game and an 8-5 decision in the second. McAvoy had two RBIs and a home run in the… Read More
ORONO – The Binghamton University softball team didn’t look anything like a strong offensive team in Friday’s doubleheader losses to the University of Maine. The Bearcats’ slump would be short-lived. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
ORONO – The pitching numbers Sarah Bennis has put up so far this season have been impressive. The University of Maine sophomore is among the league leaders in earned run average, fewest hits allowed, strikeouts per game, and plenty of other statistical catagories. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
FORT PIERCE, Fla. – Rutgers University-Camden posted a pair of shutouts over Husson College of Bangor Monday. In the first game, the Raptors received a home run each from Becky Johnson and Maureen Baney en route to a 7-0 victory. Johnson tossed a two-hitter and… Read More
BANGOR – After a forgettable season marred by forfeits due to the use of an ineligible player, the Husson College softball program begins a new era. First-year coach Charlie Hamel has plenty of enthusiasm and optimism thanks to a 17-member freshman class. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
ORONO – It’s under snow right now, but by the middle of May the University of Maine softball team’s Kessock Field should be in full spring bloom. And by May 15, the Black Bears are hoping to still be playing on their home turf as… Read More
The University of Maine softball team had a disappointing finish to its season, but the Black Bears can take heart in what they have coming back for the 2004 campaign. And that’s just the way coach Deb Smith and her staff is looking at it. Read More