ORONO, Maine — Annie Kennedy and Nikki Misner combined on a five-hit shutout on Wednesday afternoon as the University of Maine softball team blanked Division Saint Joseph’s College of Standish 8-0 at Kessock Field.
Kennedy (5-3), allowed four hits and struck out three over five innings, then Nikki Misner worked a scoreless sixth, giving up a hit. Sarah Coyne (double) and Chloe Douglass each provided two hits and two RBIs for the University of Maine (17-15). Rachel Carlson (RBI) singled twice, while Janelle Bouchard (double) and Maddie Decker each had a hit and an RBI.
The Black Bears scored four times in the fourth inning off Saint Joseph’s pitcher Eric Boulanger (3-4), who surrendered 14 hits and eight earned runs. Megen Pollini singled twice for the visitors.
Colby sweeps Husson
At Waterville, Katie McLaughlin had her second walk-off home run of the season to help the Colby College softball team to a 3-2 opening game win over Husson University.
The Mules (11-13) had four players with two hits or more in a 9-0 victory in the nightcap, which was called after five innings because of the eight-run rule.
In the opener, McLaughlin’s blast provided the winning margin. Julia Saul pitched a two-hitter with eight strikeouts and no walks. Skylar Labbe (RBI) and Robin Spofford each had two hits.
Nicole Andrade and Olivia Smith singled for Husson of Bangor (8-20).
In Game 2, Wiley Holton fired a one-hitter with two strikeouts and a walk.
McLaughlin had two hits and three RBIs, while Labbe and Grace Farnkoff each had two singles and an RBI. Emily Schatz also had two hits.
Kristen Chipman had the lone hit for Husson to back losing pitcher Smith.
Baseball
UMF, Thomas split
At Farmington, Mark Leahy pitched a four-hitter in the second game, leading the Beavers to a 5-0 victory and a split of their North Atlantic Conference doubleheader against the Terriers.
Thomas won the opener 4-2.
In Game 2, Leahy (2-1) struck out one and walked one to shut down Thomas (15-3, 9-7 NAC). The University of Maine-Farmington (13-12, 6-8 NAC) scored all five of its runs in the fifth inning against reliever Dominic Esposito. Tom Grady posted a two-run single while Grayson Beressi plated a run with a single, Jordan Croteau hit an RBI double and Nick Attaliades-Ryan added a sacrifice fly.
Ben Keene, Beressi, Croteau and Attaliades-Ryan all had two hits.
Zach Mathieu singled twice for the Terriers.
In the opener, Derek Kane’s solo homer off Riley Chickering provided the eventual winning run. Mathieu added an RBI single to back winning pitcher Nik Beeson, who spaced six hits.
Anree Benitez, Beeson (double), Michael De Los Santos and Joe Quinlan (double) each provided two hits for the winners.
Grady hit a two-run single for UMF and Sean Cabaniss singled twice.