Written By: Aaron Goschke '25

PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The University of Maine at Farmington softball team dropped both games of a competitive doubleheader at Plymouth State on Thursday afternoon. The Beavers came up just short in both contests, falling 3–2 in game one and 5–4 in walk-off fashion in game two. 

Game One: Plymouth State 3, UMaine–Farmington 2

The opener was a tightly contested game from the start. Plymouth State struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Emily Bessette laced a triple into the gap to score her sister, Kenzie Bessette, who had drawn a leadoff walk. A sacrifice fly from Avery Couch extended the Panther lead to 2–0. Plymouth tacked on another run in the second on an RBI infield single from Couch, pushing the advantage to 3–0.

UMF had trouble generating offense through the first four innings but began to break through in the fifth. After back-to-back singles by Katie Morse (Dixfield, Maine) and Reilly Russell (Windham, Maine), Lisa Truchin (Torrance, Calif.) delivered a clutch RBI single up the middle to get the Beavers on the board. The Beavers threatened again in the seventh. Christa Allen (Harrison, Maine) singled and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Jojo Daigneault (Canton, Conn.) to cut the deficit to 3–2. With the tying run at third and two outs, Plymouth State managed to escape the jam and secure the narrow win.

UMF finished with five hits and left four runners on base, while Plymouth State recorded six hits and stranded ten.

Melissa Mayo (Bridgton, Maine) took the hard fought loss, pitching 3.2 innings, giving up three earned. Truchin threw 2.1 innings in relief, giving up just two hits. Emily Antrim picked up the win for the Panthers, hurling six innings, giving up five hits and walking none. Kate McGrath came on in relief in the seventh and closed the door to pick up her second save of the season.

Notable Performers – Game One:

• Lisa Truchin: 1-for-2, RBI
• Christa Allen & Katie Morse: Each recorded a hit
• Avery Couch (PSU): 2 RBI

Game Two: Plymouth State 5, UMaine–Farmington 4

The Beavers came out firing in game two, immediately jumping ahead with a two-run first inning. After back-to-back singles from Abby Wrinn (Wolcott, Conn.) and Jessica Dow (Saco, Maine), Maddie Pike (Kennebunk, Maine) drove in the game's first run with a base hit to left. Morse followed with a bunt single to bring home another run, giving UMF an early 2–0 lead.

Plymouth answered quickly in the bottom half. After a bases-loaded situation with no outs, Abbey Nezuch punched a two-run single up the middle to tie the game. Moments later, Jade Guertin stole home to give the Panthers a 3–2 edge.

UMF continued to battle. In the second inning, Jojo Daigneault reached on an error and came around to score on an RBI single by Wrinn, tying the game at three apiece. The Beavers regained the lead in the fifth when Bella Miller (Lewiston, Maine) drilled a double down the left field line to score Christa Allen, giving UMF a 4–3 advantage.

That lead held until the bottom of the seventh, when Plymouth State rallied once again. Nezuch singled and was replaced by pinch runner Ashley Trogler, who came around to score on an RBI double by Kennedy Michaud. With the game tied and Michaud on third, Kaity Montelongo delivered the game-winning hit with a single to left, sealing the walk-off win for the Panthers.

UMF tallied 10 hits in the loss and saw strong offensive contributions throughout the lineup, but could not overcome the late-inning surge by the home team.

Mack Bergen (Winnipeg, Manitoba) took the loss, throwing 6.1 innings, giving up five earned while striking out two. McGrath picked up the win for the Panthers, pitching a complete game, striking out four to pick up her ninth victory of the season.

Notable Performers – Game Two:

• Abby Wrinn: 2-for-4, RBI, 1 run scored
• Jessica Dow: 2-for-4, run scored
• Bella Miller: 2-for-3, RBI double, walk
• Christa Allen: 2-for-4, run scored
• Kennedy Michaud (PSU): Game-tying RBI double
• Kaity Montelongo (PSU): Walk-off RBI single

Up Next:

The Beavers return to North Atlantic Conference play with a home doubleheader against Lesley University on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 AM, with game two to follow at 1:00 PM at Prescott Field in Farmington.