Written By: Aaron Goschke '25

BIDDEFORD, Maine – The University of Maine at Farmington softball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon against the University of New England. In game one, the Beavers struggled offensively and ultimately fell to the Nor'easters by a final score of 6-1. The second game was tightly contested, with the Beavers jumping out to an early lead before UNE rallied late, earning a 6-4 come-from-behind victory to complete the sweep.

Game One | Nor'easters 6, Beavers 1

The Beavers went down in order in the top of the first inning. In the bottom half, Hannah Irons drew a leadoff walk for the Nor'easters and eventually scored on a throwing error, giving them an early 1-0 lead.

The second inning saw both teams held scoreless, with the Beavers set down in order again. In the third, the Beavers couldn't push a run across, while the Nor'easters extended their lead. Irons doubled down the left-field line, scoring Lappin, and Jadyn Kimball followed with a single to center field, bringing Irons home to make it 3-0.

The Beavers were quiet again in the fourth, while the Nor'easters added another run as Lappin scored on a fielder's choice, stretching the lead to 4-0.

In the fifth inning, the Beavers were retired in order once again. The Nor'easters capitalized, with Kimball doubling to left-center to drive in Michaud, and Koenig singling to left field, scoring Kimball to increase the margin to 6-0.

The Beavers showed resilience in the sixth when Abby Wrinn (Wolcott, Conn.) led off with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Maddie Pike (Kennebunk, Maine) then delivered a timely RBI single up the middle, scoring Wrinn for the team's first run. The Nor'easters were held scoreless in the inning.

However, the Beavers were unable to rally in the seventh, going down in and ultimately falling in game one by a final score of 6-1.

Sophomore pitcher Melissa Mayo (Bridgton, Maine) picked up the loss, pitching the first three innings, giving up three earned on four hits and walking three. Lisa Truchin (Torrance, Calif.) gave up two earned on six hits in three innings of relief.

For the Nor'Easters, Kara MacDonald picked up the win, pithching a complete game with five strikeouts while surrendering just three hits and walking one.

Game Two | Nor'Easters 6, Beavers 4

The Beavers opened the game strong as Wrinn drew a leadoff walk and quickly came around to score on a double by Jessica Dow (Saco, Maine). Christa Allen (Harrison, Maine) then drove in Dow with a sacrifice fly, putting the Beavers up 2-0 early. The Nor'easters answered back in the bottom half, tying the game on RBI groundouts by Jadyn Kimball and Whitten, bringing home Irons and Michaud respectively.

Both teams went scoreless in the second inning, but the Beavers reclaimed the lead in the third. Jojo Daigneault (Canton, Conn.) began the inning with a walk and later scored on a single to left field by Allen. Bella Miller (Lewiston, Maine) added another run with an RBI groundout, knocking in Dow and extending the lead to 4-2.

After the Beavers were kept quiet in the fourth, the Nor'easters cut the deficit to 4-3 when Dodge scored on an error. In the fifth, the Beavers went down in order while the Nor'easters rallied. Irons led off with a double, eventually scoring on a sacrifice fly, and Michaud came home on a wild pitch, giving the Nor'easters their first lead at 5-4.

The Beavers went down 1-2-3  in the sixth inning, while the Nor'easters added an insurance run in the bottom half, stretching their advantage to 6-4.

Unable to mount a comeback in the seventh, the Beavers were retired in order, allowing the Nor'easters to secure the 6-4 victory and complete the sweep.

Beavers' starting pitcher Mack Bergen (Winnipeg, Manitoba) took the loss, pitching 5.1 innings, giving up six runs but just three earned on nine hits while striking out five. 

Cat Higgins came on in relief for UNE, pitching the final four and two thirds, not allowing a runner to reach base, striking out one to pick up her third victory of the season. 

UP NEXT

The Beavers return to action on the road next Tuesday against Colby College. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 4:00 PM.