ORONO, Maine — Stony Brook University beat the University of Maine Black Bears 1-0 in Friday afternoon’s elimination game in the America East Tournament.
Maine winds up its season 23-28.
In the early game, the Bears halted Boston University pitcher Cassidi Hardy’s scoreless inning streak at 30 1/3 innings, but Hardy still notched her third win of the season against the Bears — and 19th overall.
Hardy would get all the run support she’d need when sophomore second baseman Erica Casacci belted her first career home run — a 210-foot, three-run shot over the fence in right center — in the third inning en route to a 5-1 victory over the Bears.
Hardy (19-7) went the distance, allowing eight hits and no walks while striking out seven batters.
Leadoff hitter Alexis Souhlaris led the Bears with two hits, a solo home run (sixth of the season) in the third inning and a single. Fellow senior and right fielder Whitney Spangler had a double and a single.
The BU Terriers (33-19) will play Stony Brook for the championship in a noon game on Saturday on Kessock Field.