Latest News


        
##################################################################################

                                 SEASON COMPLETED

##################################################################################

Monday, May 10, 2004

                    Four USM Huskies Named to NFCA All-Region

     GORHAM, Maine  --  Four members of the University of Southern Maine Huskies 
softball team have earned spots on the 2004 Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch 
Coaches Association Division III All-Region first or second team that was 
announced this past Friday (May 7).
     Named to the All-New England Region first team were junior catcher Kristen 
Tong (Swanzey, N.H.), senior third baseman Renee Heath (Brunswick, Maine) and 
senior first baseman Jessie Becher (South Paris, Maine), who was picked for an at-
large spot on the 15-member squad.  Selected for the second team was sophomore 
right-handed pitcher Katie Mainville (Coopers Mills, Maine).
     This is the third time that Heath has landed a spot on the All-Region team.  
Becher previously earned a spot on the All-Region team in 2001.  This is the first 
time that Tong and Mainville have earned All-Region honors.  All four were named 
to the All-Little East Conference first or second teams that were announced last 
week.
     The four helped the Huskies enjoy the finest season in the 30-year history of 
the program.  USM won a record 33 games this season, advanced to the championship 
round of the six-team, double-elimination Little East Conference Championship 
tournament, and earned a berth in the ECAC Division III New England Softball 
Championship tournament.  The Huskies finished the season 33-11-1 (.744 W-L pct.).
     "These four players all played major roles for us this season and are very 
deserving of this honor.  They've been the cornerstones to a very successful 
season," praised ninth-year head coach Bonny Brown-Denico.
     Heath finished the season batting .351 (54 for 154), second highest on the 
team, with 26 runs scored, eight doubles, a team-high three home runs, 19 RBI and 
11 stolen bases.
     Becher led the team in batting with a .354 average (51 for 144).  She scored 
21 runs, hit 10 doubles and one triple and had 16 RBI.  The slick fielding first 
baseman has committed just one error in 277 chances.
     Tong, who caught all 45 games, hit .315 (47 for 149) with 21 runs scored, 10 
doubles, three triples, one home run and a team-leading 21 RBI.  Tong and Becher 
shared the team lead in doubles.
     Mainville enjoyed one of the finest season in the history of the program.  
She finished 15-3 with eight shutouts, including her first collegiate no-hitter, 
and a paltry 0.53 ERA.  In 145.2 innings of work, she allowed only 74 hits and 18 
walks while striking out single-season record 157.  She was named LEC Pitcher of 
the Week twice during the season.


            2004 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division III All-Region Team
                                New England Region

First Team
Pos.  Player                    School
P     Katie Maroney             Smith
P     Jackie Demling            Wheaton
C     Kristen Tong              Southern Maine
C     Heidi Miller              U.S. Coast Guard
1B    Kaite Smith               Tufts
2B    Katie Wardlow             Western Connecticut
3B    Renee Heath               Southern Maine
SS    Brianna Shawah            Wheaton
OF    Amanda Dow-Allen          Wheaton
OF    Debbie Sasges             Smith
OF    Jen Scavone               Clark (Mass.)
UT    Liz Gluck                 Williams
DP    Emily Anne Cullen         Western Connecticut
AL    Meghan McLoughlin         Keene State
AL    Jessie Becher             Southern Maine

Second Team
Pos.  Player                    School
P     Clara Hard                Williams
P     Katie Mainville           Southern Maine
C     Missy Edwards             Springfield
C     Megan Young               Endicott
1B    Caroline Kurkowski        Keene State
2B    Alana Frost               Williams
3B    Lori Hill                 Wheaton
SS    Elyse Colby               Endicott
OF    Sara Albert               Brandeis
OF    Sara Watson               Smith
OF    Laurie Cersosimo          Springfield
UT    Megan McCarthy            Middlebury
DP    Kristyn Alexander         Rhode Island College
AL    Stephanie Adams           U.S. Coast Guard
AL    Deana Davidian            Tufts

Third Team
Pos.  Player                    School
AL    Lorian Jenkins            Smith
AL    Kelly Rowan               Eastern Connecticut
AL    Courtney Bongiolatti      Tufts
AL    Amanda Johansson          Springfield
AL    Kimberly Sturgis          Curry
AL    Robyn Savitske            Endicott
AL    Amber Bourque-Laycsak     Smith
AL    Shari D'Amico             Eastern Connecticut
AL    Kerri McMahon             Williams
AL    Carmella Ranieri          Wheaton
AL    Natalie Barbanti          Bridgewater State
AL    Lisa Bello                Curry
AL    Dasen Woitkoski           Smith
AL    Colleen Perry             U.S. Coast Guard
AL    Michaela George           Middlebury

##################################################################################

Sunday, May 9, 2004

             Coast Guard Eliminates USM at ECAC Tournament, 2-1

     NORTHAMPTON, Mass.  --  Junior Stephanie Adams (Pasadena, Md.) doubled home 
the winning run in the top of the eighth inning to give the U.S. Coast Guard 
Academy Bears a 2-1 victory over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in an 
elimination game of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III 
New England Softball Championship tournament Sunday afternoon at Smith College.
     The loss ended the Huskies most successful season in school history with a 
33-11-1 overall record.  Coast Guard heads into the championship round against 
top-seeded and unbeaten Smith College at 31-13.
     With tiebreaker rules in effect, Adams drove a pitch off the fence to score 
junior Beth Newton (Woodstock, Ga.) with two outs in the top of the eighth inning.  
USM was unable to equalize in the bottom half of the inning.
     The Bears took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Newton double to lead off, 
advanced to third on a groundout, and scored on Adams' two-out single.
     USM tied the game in the bottom of the second on senior Darci Holland's 
(Buckfield, Maine) first home run of the season.
     The pitchers, the Coast Guard tandem of freshman Colleen Perry (Norwalk, 
Conn.) and junior Jen Paulson and USM junior Melissa Henderson (Newburyport, 
Mass.) dominated over the next five innings to send the game into extra innings.
     Paulson picked up the victory with 4.0 innings of one-hit relief.  Henderson 
was the tough-luck loser despite allowing only three hits and two walks in a 
complete game effort.  She fanned seven batters.

Summary                       123  456  78     R  H  E
Coast Guard  (31-13)          100  000  01     2  3  1
Southern Maine  (33-11-1)     010  000  00     1  3  1
Batteries:  CG, Colleen Perry, Jen Paulson (5) and Heidi Miller.
     SM, Melissa Henderson and Kristen Tong
Winning Pitcher:  Paulson          Losing Pitcher:  Henderson  (17-8)
2B:  CG, Newton, Adams
3B:  none
HR:  SM, Darci Holland (1)
RBI:  CG, Adams 2          SM, Holland
Repeat Hitters:  CG, Adams

##################################################################################

Saturday, May 8, 2004

                Southern Maine Splits Two Games at ECAC Tournament
                           Faces Coast Guard on Sunday

     NORTHAMPTON, Mass..  -  Junior Melissa Henderson (Newburyport, Mass.) tossed 
a two-hitter and junior Kristen Tong (Swanzey, N.H.) stroked a walk-off home run 
in the bottom of the seventh to lift the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a 
1-0 triumph over the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Bears in game one, but the host 
Smith College Pioneers pinned a 3-2 setback on the Huskies in game two at the 
four-team, double-elimination, ECAC Tournament.
     Southern Maine, which now stands at 33-10-1, will face Coast Guard in an 
elimination game on Sunday morning (11:00 am).  The winner of that game will then 
have to defeat Smith twice to earn the title, while Smith needs only one win to 
claim the title.
     In the opener, Henderson fanned nine, walked none and allowed just the two 
hits, to improve to 17-7 and establish a single-season school record for most 
wins.  For the Bears freshman Colleen Perry (Norwalk, Conn.), who fell to 16-10, 
fanned six and issued no walks.
     In game two, the Huskies jumped to a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning.  
Senior Renee Heath (Brunswick, Maine) began the rally with a double, but was 
unable to take third on a single by sophomore Caterina Riitano (Sangerville, 
Maine).  Heath later broke for third on a wild pitch, and when the catcher's throw 
sailed into leftfield, Heath came home and Riitano took third.  Tong reached on an 
infield error, which enabled Riitano to score. 
     Sophomore Sara Watson (Kent, Was.) reached on an error to ignite a three-run 
rally for Smith in the fourth inning.  Watson later scored the Pioneers' first 
run, when a single by junior Nicole Caffrey (Whitehall, Pa.) was misplayed by the 
Southern Maine outfield.  Caffrey tied the score on a fielding error, before 
junior Amanda Thompson (Tucson, Ari.) singled in sophomore Amber Bourque-Laycsak 
(Tinley Park, Ill.), who had reached on a double. 
     For Southern Maine, sophomore Katie Mainville (Coopers Mills, Maine) started 
the game and allowed five hits, three runs (0 earned) and no walks through three 
and a third innings. She fell to 15-3 on the year.  Henderson came on in relief 
and scattered two hits.
     Junior Erica Hubbard (Bradford, Pa.) went the distance for the Pioneers, and 
allowed seven hits, one earned run, and no walks, while fanning two. She improved 
to 11-3.
     
Game 1                      123  456  7     R H E
Coast Guard (29-13)         000  000  0     0 2 0
Southern Maine (33-9-1)     000  000  1     1 4 3
Batteries: SM, Melissa Henderson and Kristen Tong
     CG, Colleen Perry and Heidi Miller. 
WP, Henderson (17-7)     LP, Perry (16-10). 
2B: None. 
3B: None. 
HR: SM, Tong. 
RBI: SM, Tong. 
Repeat Hitters: None.

Game 2                      123  456  7     R H E
Southern Maine (33-9-1)     002  000  0     2 7 3
Smith (32-6)                000  300  X     3 7 4 
Batteries: SM, Katie Mainville, Melissa Henderson (4) and Tong
     Smith, Erica Hubbard and Amanda Thompson. 
WP, Hubbard (11-3). LP, Mainville (15-3).  
2B: SM, Heath, Becher    Smith, Amber Bourque-Laycsak. 
3B: None. 
HR: None. 
RBI, Thompson. 
Repeat Hitters: SM, Heath, Caterina Riitano     Smith, Nicole Caffrey.

##################################################################################

Thursday, May 6, 2004

                  USM Lands Seven on LEC Softball All-Star Teams

     GORHAM, Maine  --  Seven members of the record-setting University of Southern 
Maine Huskies softball team have been named to the All-Little East Conference 
first or second team squads as voted by the head coaches.  The all-star teams and 
individual awards for the 2004 season were announced Monday afternoon.
     Named to the All-Little East first team were junior catcher Kristen Tong 
(Swanzey, N.H./ Monadnock Regional HS), sophomore pitcher Katie Mainville (Coopers 
Mills, Maine/Erskine Academy), senior third baseman Renee Heath (Brunswick, 
Maine), freshman shortstop Christen Lachappelle (Farmingdale, Maine/Hall-Dale HS) 
and senior outfielder Darci Holland (Buckfield, Maine/Dirigo HS).
     Honored with spots on the second team were senior first baseman Jessie Becher 
(South Paris, Maine/Oxford Hills HS) and junior utility player Natasha Jackson 
(Augusta, Maine/Cony HS).
     Heath, who has made the all-conference first of second team four consecutive 
years, and Holland were named to the were named to the All-LEC first team for the 
third straight season.  This is the second time that Tong (second team in 2002), 
Becher (first team in 2001) and Mainville (second team last spring) have been 
honored.  This is the first all-conference citation for Lachappelle and Jackson.
     Heath is batting .354 (51 for 144) this season with 25 runs scored, seven 
doubles, a team-high three home runs and 19 RBI.
     "Renee is the most consistent player I've ever coached," praised ninth-year 
head coach Bonny Brown-Denico.  "In four years, she's never had a true offensive 
slump.  Defensively, she has tremendous reflexes and great range at third base."
     Mainville is enjoying one of the finest season in the history of the program.  
She is 15-2 with eight shutouts, including her first collegiate no-hitter, and a 
paltry 0.54 ERA.  In 142 innings of work, she has allowed only 69 hits and 18 
walks while striking out 154.  She was named LEC Pitcher of the Week twice during 
the season.
     "Katie stepped her game up a notch this year (after an 11-5 rookie season) .  
She has been very consistent and dominating on the mound," continued Brown-Denico.
     Tong is hitting .324 (45 for 139) with 20 runs scored, 10 doubles, three 
triples and a team-leading 20 RBI.
     "Kristen is a tremendous catcher who is very smart at calling the game.  She 
has lifted her game to a new level this season with the help of (assistant coach 
Ryan) Johnston." Brown-Denico said.
     Holland is hitting .258 (34 for 132) with 23 runs scored, six doubles and 16 
RBI.  
     "Darci has been a great leader this season.  She has a great work ethic and 
attitude," said Brown-Denico.
     Lachappelle has a solid rookie campaign, batting .283 (36 for 127) with 17 
runs scored, four doubles, one triple, one home run and 19 RBI.  She also played 
solid defense, making only nine errors in 42 games.
     "Christen improved throughout the season as her confidence level grew.  She 
showed great leadership on the field for a freshman," offered Brown-Dencio.
     Becher leads the team in batting with a .370 (50 for 135) average.  She has 
scored 21 runs, hit nine doubles and one triple and has 16 RBI.  The slick 
fielding first baseman has committed just one error in 267 chances.
     "Jessie is a naturally gifted player and her return this year was most 
welcome," commented Brown-Denico.
     Jackson, who saw time as the designated player and in the outfield, is 
batting .239 (22 for 92) with 12 runs scored, a pair of doubles and 10 RBI.
     "Natasha brings a great attitude to the field everyday and will play anywhere 
we ask her to.  She's a great team player," added Brown-Denico.
     The Huskies, enjoying a school record 32-9-1 season, are the second seed in 
the Eastern College Athletic Conference Division III New England Softball 
Championship that began Wednesday.  USM posted a 5-1 win over seventh-seeded 
Emerson College in its first round game to advance to this weekend's four-team, 
double-elimination finals at a site to be announced upon 
the completion of all first round games.


                  Little East Conference - 2004 Softball Awards

           Player of the Year- Caroline Kurkowski, Keene State College
           Pitcher of the Year - Meghan McLoughlin, Keene State College
           Rookie of the Year - Kristyn Alexander, Rhode Island College
              Coach of the Year - Charlie Beach, Keene State College

                       First Team All-Little East Conference 
Name                  Position     Class      Institution   
Kristen Tong          Catcher      Junior     University of Southern Maine
Meghan McLoughlin     Pitcher      Junior     Keene State College
Katie Mainville       Pitcher      Sophomore  University of Southern Maine
Caroline Kurkowski    First Base   Senior     Keene State College
Katie Wardlow         Second Base  Senior     Western Connecticut State University
Renee Heath           Third Base   Senior     University of Southern Maine
Christen Lachappelle  Shortstop    Freshman   University of Southern Maine
Meg Ponte             Outfield     Sophomore  Rhode Island College
Darci Holland         Outfield     Senior     University of Southern Maine
Holly Szymanski       Outfield     Junior     Western Connecticut State University
Kristyn Alexander     Des. Player  Freshman   Rhode Island College
Emily Cullen          Utility      Sophomore  Western Connecticut State University

Second Team
Name                  Position     Class      Institution   
Kelly Rowan           Catcher      Senior     Eastern Connecticut State University
Kim Warrington        Pitcher      Senior     Rhode Island College
Kim Jeffs             Pitcher      Junior     Plymouth State College
Jessie Becher         First Base   Senior     University of Southern Maine
Andrea Ciarletta      Second Base  Freshman   University of Massachusetts Boston
Niki Ramback          Third Base   Junior     Plymouth State University
Mallory Zenkus        Shortstop    Sophomore  Western Connecticut State University
Stacey Peterson       Outfield     Senior     University of Massachusetts Boston
Carla Collins         Outfield     Freshman   University of Massachusetts Boston
Sue Gaber             Outfield     Senior     Rhode Island College
Abby Collis           Des. Player  Senior     Keene State College
Natasha Jackson       Utility      Junior     University of Southern Maine

##################################################################################

Wednesday, May 5, 2004

                  Southern Maine Eliminates Emerson College, 5-1
                        Huskies Advance in ECAC Tournament

     GORHAM, Maine  --  Junior pitcher Melissa Henderson (Newburyport, Mass.) 
scattered four hits and fanned nine and senior outfielder Darci Holland 
(Buckfield, Maine) collected two hits, including a double, and scored two runs 
to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a 5-1 triumph over the 
visiting Emerson College Lions in the opening round of the ECAC Division III New 
England Tournament.
     The Huskies improved to 32-9-1, and advance to the four-team, double-
elimination portion of the tournament to be played on Saturday and Sunday at a 
site to be determined.  If Smith College, the number-one seed, defeats eighth-
seeded Fitchburg State tomorrow afternoon, then Smith will serve as the host.  
If Fitchburg State pulls the upset, then the number-two seeded Huskies will host 
the tournament.  Emerson concludes the year at 25-16.
     Southern Maine broke the game open with four doubles and three runs in the 
bottom of the second inning.  Holland began the rally with a one-out double, and 
scored when freshman Christen Lachappelle (Farmingdale, Maine) followed with a 
double.  Senior Angela Cote (Windham, Maine) drove in Lachappelle with a two-out 
double, before senior Jessie Becher (South Paris, Maine) plated Cote with the 
team’s final double of the frame.
     The Huskies added two more in the bottom of the fifth to forge a commanding 
5-0 advantage.  Sophomore Caterina Riitano (Sangerville, Maine) and Holland 
stroked singles, while Lachappelle was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  Senior 
Emily Forbes (North Berwick, Maine) and junior Natasha Jackson (Augusta, Maine) 
ripped consecutive singles to score Riitano and Holland.
     The Lions averted the shutout in the top of the sixth, when sophomore Laura 
Burke (Winchester, Mass.) notched a lead off single, and later scored on a 
infield groundout off the bat of freshman Jodie Jordan (Northboro, Mass.).
     Henderson twirled all seven innings to improve to 16-7 and tie the school 
record for most wins in a season for the second time in her career.  Erica 
Gagnon set the standard in 1999, and Henderson equaled it in 2002.
     Sophomore Sara Collings (Wilmington, Pa.) went five-plus innings for the 
Lions, yielding 13 hits and one walk, before yielding to freshman Heather 
Drobiarz (Old Saybrook, Conn.) who retired the three batters she faced.

Summary                     123  456  7     R  H  E
Emerson  (25-16)            000  001  0     1  4  2
Southern Maine (32-9-1)     030  020  X     5 13  0
Batteries: E, Sarah Collings, Heather Drobiarz (6), and Jen Boyden
     SM, Melissa Henderson and Kristen Tong
Winning Pitcher:  Henderson (16-7)     Losing Pitcher:  Collings
2B:  SM, Becher, Heath (2), Darci Holland, Christen Lachappelle, Angela Cote
3B: None
HR: None
RBI:  E, Jodie Jordan
     SM, Lachappelle, Angela Cote, Emily Forbes, Natasha Jackson
Repeat Hitters:  SM, Jessie Becher, Heath, Holland, Lachappelle

##################################################################################

Monday, May 3, 2004

                Melissa Henderson Named LEC Co-Player of the Week

     GORHAM, Maine  --  Junior right-handed pitcher Melissa Henderson 
(Newburyport, Mass.) of the University of Southern Maine Huskies softball team has 
been named Co-Player of the Week by the Little East Conference for her outstanding 
pitching during the week of April 26 through May 2.
     Henderson shared the weekly honor with sophomore pitcher Kristy Swanson of 
Western Connecticut State University.  The weekly awards were announced Monday by 
the conference office.
     The third-year pitcher was brilliant last week helping the Huskies reach the 
championship round of the Little East Conference tournament.  Henderson made five 
appearances in the tournament, compiling a 3-2 record with a 1.18 ERA.  She worked 
41.2 innings, allowing 32 hits and seven walks while striking out 32.
     In the opening round game of the six-team, double-elimination tournament, 
Henderson came on in relief in the 13th inning and pitched eight innings of two-
hit, shutout softball to get the win in USM's 2-1, 20-inning marathon with Eastern 
Connecticut State University.  The game was the longest in the history of both the 
tournament and the USM program.  She came back later that same day to hurl an 11.0 
inning, eight-hit shutout in a 2-0 victory over top-seeded and host Keene State 
College.
     The next day, Henderson was the tough-luck 3-2 loser to Western Connecticut 
when the Colonials struck for two runs (one earned) in the top of the seventh 
inning.
     Facing elimination, the Huskies called upon Henderson again in relief against 
Keene State.  She responded with 10.0 innings of six-hit, shutout softball as the 
Huskies prevailed 2-1 in 16 innings to reach the championship round against 
Western Connecticut.
     Needing to defeat the Colonials twice to win the tournament, the Huskies 
finally ran out of gas (61 innings in three days) losing 6-3.  Henderson went 5.2 
innings before being lifted in favor of freshman Caterina Riitano (Sangerville, 
Maine).
     Henderson and Swanson were named Co-Most Outstanding Players of the 
tournament.  It was the first time in the seven-year history of the tournament 
that there were co-most outstanding players.  Henderson is the first player from a 
team not winning the tournament to be so honored.
     For the season, Henderson has a 15-7 record with a 1.61 ERA.  She has pitched 
161.1 innings allowing 133 hits and 38 strikeouts while fanning 131.
     Southern Maine received word Monday afternoon that it had been selected to 
play in the ECAC Division III New England Softball Championship tournament that 
starts Wednesday with four first round games.  The second-seeded Huskies (31-9-1) 
will host seventh seeded Emerson College (25-15) for a single game starting at 
5:00 p.m.

##################################################################################

Monday, May 3, 2004

                   USM Second Seed for ECAC Softball Tournament

     GORHAM, Maine  --  The University of Southern Maine Huskies softball team has 
been tapped as the second seed for the 2004 Eastern College Athletic Conference 
(ECAC) Division III New England Softball Championship that gets underway Wednesday 
with four first-round games.
     The Huskies, under the direction of ninth-year head coach Bonny Brown-Denico, 
have a school record 31-9-1 overall mark.  They will host seventh-seeded Emerson 
College, 25-15, in a single-elimination, first-round game Wednesday starting at 
5:00 p.m.  The game will be played at the USM softball field on the Gorham campus.
     This is the second straight year the Huskies have been selected for the ECAC 
tournament, and their sixth appearance all-time.  USM previously played in the 
tournament in 1987, 1997, 2000, 2001 and 2003.  Southern Maine also made trips to 
the NCAA tournament in 1998 and 1999.
     Other first round games include top-seeded Smith College (30-6) hosting 
number eight Fitchburg State College (19-14), the third seed, the United States 
Coast Guard Academy (28-12), will entertain sixth-seeded Rhode Island College 
(21-14-1), and fourth-seeded Keene State College at home against fifth-seeded 
Curry College (36-7).
     The four first-round winners will advance to the four-team, double-
elimination finals this Saturday and Sunday (May 8-9) at the site of the highest 
remaining survivor.


             2004 ECAC Division III New England Softball Championship
First Round Games - Wednesday, May 5 (at higher seeded team)
#8  Fitchburg State College (19-14)  at  #1 Smith College (30-6)              4:30
#7  Emerson College (25-15)  at  #2 University of Southern Maine (31-9-1)     5:00
#6  Rhode Island College (21-14-1)  at  #3  Coast Guard (28-12)               4:00
#5  Curry College (36-7)  at  #4 Keene State College (28-10)                   tba


Four winners advance to a four-team, double-elimination finals at the highest 
remaining seed.  Pairings and game times will be announced following Wednesday's 
first round games.

##################################################################################

Saturday, May 1, 2004

        Western Connecticut Downs Southern Maine, 6-3, Wins LEC Tournament

     KEENE, N.H. -  The third-seeded Western Connecticut State University 
Colonials jumped to a 5-0 lead and held off a late comeback by the University of 
Southern Maine Huskies to capture the 2004 Little East Conference Tournament title 
on Saturday afternoon.
     Western Connecticut, which improved to 25-14, has now won three titles in the 
seven-year history of the event (2001, 2002). The Colonials earned the league's 
automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Southern Maine fell to 31-9-1.
     The Colonials took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. 
Freshman Meg Cirigliano (Newington, Conn.) doubled and scored on a Southern Maine 
throwing error, and sophomore Mallory Zenkus (Seymour, Conn.) added an RBI single 
to score senior Cathy Knapp (Monroe, Conn.).  
     Western Connecticut extended its lead to 5-0 with three runs in the bottom of 
the fifth inning. Senior Katie Wardlow (Old Bridge, N.J.) singled to drive in 
Cirigliano and Cathy Knapp (Monroe, Conn.), and sophomore Emily Cullen (Bethel, 
Conn.) later scored on a passed ball. 
     Southern Maine pulled within 5-3 three in the top of the sixth inning. Senior 
Renee Heath (Brunswick, Me.) led off the frame with a double, and came in on 
sophomore Caterina Riitano's (Sangerville, Maine) second home run of the 
tournament. The third run came on a delayed double steal, in which junior Natasha 
Jackson (Augusta, Maine) was tagged out between first and second, but not before 
junior Kristen Tong (Swanzey, N.H.) had scampered home from third. 
     The Colonials added an insurance run in the bottom half of the inning, when 
Cirigliano ripped a double to score Jen Caveney (Keene, N.H.).
     Sophomore pitcher Kristy Swanson (Danbury, Conn.), who earned tournament Co-
Most Outstanding Player honors, started the game and went five-plus innings to 
earn the win. She scattered four hits, fanned two and issued four walks. Junior 
Brooke Morris (Stamford, Conn.) came on in relief for the final two innings, to 
earn the save.
     Southern Maine junior pitcher Melissa Henderson (Newburyport, Mass.) was also 
selected as a Co-Most Outstanding Player.  Despite suffering the loss (14-7), 
Henderson threw a stunning 41.2 innings over the three-day tournament. 

Summary                     123  456  7     R  H  E
Southern Maine (31-8-1)     000  003  0     3  5  2
Western Conn. (25-14)       200  031  x     6  8  0
Batteries: WC, Kristy Swanson, Brooke Morris (6) and Christine Valie
     SM: Melissa Henderson, Caterina Riitano (6) and Kristen Tong
WP Swanson (9-6); LP: Henderson (15-7) Save: Morris (5)
2B: WC, Meg Cirigliano (2); SM, Renee Heath. 
3B: None. 
HR: SM, Riitano (2)
RBI: WC, Meg Cirigliano, Wardlow (2) Zenkus;  SM, Riitano (2)
Repeat Hitters: WC, Cirigliano (3), Wardlow. 

##################################################################################

Saturday, May 1, 2004

                        Little East Conference Tournament
      USM Beats Keene State in 16 Innings 2-1, Advances to Championship Round

     KEENE, N.H.  --  Senior Darci Holland (Buckfield, Maine) scored the winning 
run with two outs in the bottom of the 16th inning to give the University of 
Southern Maine Huskies a thrilling 2-1 marathon win over top-seeded and host Keene 
State College in the six-team, double elimination Little East Conference Softball 
Championship tournament.
     The win moves the Huskies, 31-8-1 overall, into the championship round 
against unbeaten Western Connecticut State University.  USM must beat Western 
Connecticut twice to win the title.  Keene State is eliminated for the tournament 
with a 28-10 record.
     Junior Melissa Henderson (Newburyport, Mass.) picked up the win in relief for 
the Huskies.  Henderson came on in the seventh inning and pitched 10 innings of 
scoreless softball to earn her 15th win of the season.  She allowed six singles 
and two walks while striking out 10.
     Holland drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a single by junior 
Natasha Jackson (Augusta, Maine).  Both moved up on a passed ball.  After a foul 
out to third base, freshman Christen Lachappelle (Farmingdale, Maine) hit a line 
drive that deflected off Keene State pitcher Meghan McLoughlin (Brattleboro, Vt.).  
McLoughlin retrieved the ball, but her throw to the plate to get Holland was not 
in time.
     Keene State took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth as Kari Gardner 
(Grafton, Mass.) singled to score Adria Reynolds (Portsmouth, N.H.) who led off 
the inning with a single.
     The Huskies tied the game in the sixth when pinch runner Angela Cote 
(Windham, Maine) scored from third on a wild pitch.  Cote ran for designated 
player Caterina Riitano (Sangerville, Maine) who started the inning with a single.
     All three USM wins in the tournament have come in extra innings.  USM has 
played a total of
54 innings in four games.

Summary                                                   R  H  E
Keene State  (28-10)       000  100  000  000  000  0     1  9  3
Southern Maine  (31-8-1)   000  001  000  000  000  1     2 11  0
Batteries:  KS, Erin Fuoroli, Meghan McLoughlin (6) and Tiffany Underhill.
     SM, Katie Mainville, Melissa Henderson (7) and Kristen Tong.
Winning Pitcher:  Henderson (15-6)     Losing Pitcher:  McLoughlin (13-3)
2B:  SM, Becher, Tong          3B:  none          HR:  none
RBI:  KS, Gardner     SM, Lachappelle
Repeat Hitters:  KS, Reynolds, Collis, Gardner      SM, Woodcock, Heath

##################################################################################

Friday, April 30, 2004

                        Southern Maine Pushed to the Brink
              Western Connecticut Rallies, Downs Southern Maine, 3-2

     KEENE, N.H.  -  The Western Connecticut State University Colonials rallied 
for two runs in the top of the seventh inning to post a 3-2 triumph and push the 
University of Southern Maine Huskies to the brink of elimination in the six-team, 
double-elimination, Little East Conference  tournament on Friday afternoon at 
Keene State College.
     The Huskies will return to action Saturday morning (11:00 am) and face the 
winner of the earlier game between Eastern Connecticut State University and Keene 
State College (9:00 am). If the Huskies win, they will then need to defeat Western 
Connecticut twice to win the tournament. 
     The loss dropped the Huskies to 30-8-1, while Western Connecticut improved to 
24-14.
     Trailing 2-1 entering the top of the seventh, Western Connecticut commenced 
the game-winning rally with a lead-off, pinch-hit, single from junior Dez Lanphear 
(Danbury, Conn.), who took second on a sacrifice bunt from senior Jen Caveney 
(Keene, N.H.). Freshman Meg Cirigliano (Newington, Conn.) followed with an RBI-
double to tie the score at 2-2. 
     Senior Cathleen Knapp (Monroe, Conn.) grounded out to Southern Maine junior 
pitcher Melissa Henderson (Newburyport, Mass.), allowing Cirigliano to take third. 
Sophomore Emily Cullen (Bethel, Conn.) then hit a high fly, which the Southern 
Maine outfield misplayed, and Cirigliano scampered home with what proved to be the 
winning run.
     The Huskies rallied in the bottom of the seventh to load the bases with one 
out, but sophomore pitcher Kristy Swanson (Danbury, Conn.) induced a pair of 
infield grounders to escape the jam and earn the win (8-6). Swanson pitched all 
seven innings, and surrendered six hits and two walks.
     The Colonials took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, when Caveney smoked a 
triple down the right field line, scoring sophomore Holly Szymanski (Newington, 
Conn.) from first base.
     Southern Maine responded in the bottom of the frame with a two-run homer off 
the bat of sophomore Caterina Riitano (Sangerville, Maine).
     On the mound for the Huskies, Henderson fanned four, walked none and yielded 
eight hits. Over the past two days, Henderson has now thrown 26 innings and 
surrendered just three runs 
(two earned). She fired 19 scoreless innings to earn a pair of wins on Thursday.

Summary                         123  456  7     R  H  E
Western Connecticut (24-14)     010  000  2     3  8  0
Southern Maine (30-8-1)         020  000  0     2  6  2
Batteries: SM, Melissa Henderson and Kristen Tong
     W, Kristy Swanson and Christine Valie
WP, Swanson (8-6)     LP, Henderson (14-6)
2B: W, Meg Cirigliano, Katie Wardlow    SM, Caterina Riitano
3B: W, Jen Caveney
HR: SM, Riitano (1)
RBI: W, Cirigliano, Emily Cullen, Caveney     SM, Riitano (2)
Repeat Hitters: W, Caveney, Wardlow     SM, Heath, Riitano

##################################################################################

Thursday, April 29, 2004

           Southern Maine Wins Two at Little East Conference Tournament
              Huskies Outlast Eastern Connecticut in 20 Innings, 2-1
               Huskies Edge Top-Seed Keene State in 11 Innings, 2-0

     KEENE, N.H.  -  Junior Melissa Henderson (Newburyport, Mass.) twirled 19 
innings of shutout ball to lead the fourth-seeded University of Southern Maine 
Huskies to a pair of extra-innings triumphs in the opening day of the Little East 
Conference Tournament on Thursday at Keene State College.
     After posting a 2-1, 20-inning, triumph over the fifth-seed Eastern 
Connecticut State Warriors in the opener, Southern Maine returned to notch a 2-0, 
11-inning decision over the number-one seeded Keene State College Owls in game 
three of the tournament.  The Huskies will next play on Friday afternoon (3:00 pm) 
against the winner of Friday's first game between Western Connecticut and Rhode 
Island College (9:00 am).  Western Connecticut defeated Plymouth State, 4-0, in 
Thursday's only other contest.
     With the two wins, Southern Maine improved its overall record to 30-7-1, 
which eclipses the former single-season mark for most wins set by the 1999 squad 
(29-21).  In addition, the 20-inning triumph over Eastern Connecticut stands as 
the longest game in program history.
     In the opener, Henderson entered a 1-1 contest in the top of the 13th and 
proceeded to pitch eight scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and two walks, 
while fanning four to earn the win.  In the nightcap, she pitched all 11 innings, 
fanning 10 and allowing just two walks and seven hits. Her season record currently 
stands at 14-5.
     Game two remained scoreless until the top of the 11th, when the Huskies 
plated a pair of runners.  Senior Darci Holland (Buckfield, Maine) led off the 
frame with a single, and took second on a sacrifice bunt from junior Natasha 
Jackson (Augusta, Maine).  Holland scored the game's first run on a single by 
sophomore Caterina Riitano (Sangerville, Maine), who advanced to second on the 
throw to home.  Riitano took third on a passed ball, before scoring on a single 
from senior Emily Forbes (North Berwick, Maine). 
     Keene State mounted a two-our rally in the bottom of the 11th to load the 
bases, but Henderson forced an infield groundout to end the contest.
     In the opener, the Huskies scored the winning run in the bottom of the 20th 
when freshman Jen Cordone (Fulton, N.Y.) was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded 
to force in Forbes.
     The Huskies had taken a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth on a lead-off 
home run by senior Renee Heath (Brunswick, Maine).  However, the Warriors knotted 
the affair in the top of the sixth on a double from senior Shari D'Amico 
(Trumbull, Conn.) to score freshman Leigha Abair (East Hartford, Conn.).
     Southern Maine sophomore Katie Mainville (Coopers Mills, Maine) started the 
game and fanned 14 through 12 innings before yielding to Henderson.  For the 
Warriors, freshman Nikki Vachon (East Haddam, Conn.), was charged with the loss 
(6-10) after striking out three and surrendering four hits and two walks in 5.1 
innings of work.  Sophomore Lindsay Savelle (Cheshire, Conn.) started the game and 
fanned three, while yielding six hits and one walk through 14 innings. 


Game 1                        123  456  789  012  345  678  90     R   H  E
Eastern Connecticut (20-17)   000  100  000  000  000  000  00     1   5  3
Southern Maine (29-7-1)       000  002  000  000  000  000  01     2  10  1
Batteries: SM, Katie Mainville, Melissa Henderson (13) and Kristen Tong
     EC, Lindsay Savelle, Nikki Vachon (15) and Karen Taber
WP, Henderson (13-5); LP, Vachon (6-10)
2B, SM, Tong; EC, D'Amico
3B: None
HR: SM, Renee Heath
RBI: SM, Heath, Jen Cordone.    EC, D'Amico  
Repeat Hitters: SM, Tong (3), Jessie Becher (3)

Game 2                       123  456  789  01   R  H  E
Southern Maine (30-7-1)      000  000  000  02   2  4  1
Keene State (26-9-0)         000  000  000  00   0  7  0
Batteries: SM, Melissa Henderson and Kristen Tong
     KS, Meghan McLoughlin and Tiffany Underhill. 
WP, Henderson (14-5); LP, McLoughlin (11-2). 
2B: KS, Kari Gardner. 
3B: None. 
HR: None. 
RBI: SM, Caterina Riitano, Emily Forbes. 
Repeat Hitters: KS, Kari Gardner (3).

##################################################################################

Monday, April 26, 2004

                         USM Softball at Bates Cancelled

     GORHAM, Maine  --  Today's scheduled softball doubleheader between the 
University of Southern Maine and Bates College has been cancelled due to the 
inclement weather and will not be rescheduled.

##################################################################################

Saturday, April 24, 2004

         Keene State Wins LEC Regular-Season Title, Sweeps Southern Maine

     KEENE, N.H.  -  Junior pitcher Meghan McLoughlin (Brattleboro, Vt.) twirled a 
complete-game, four-hitter in the opener, and senior Abby Collis (Wynantskill, 
N.Y.) ripped a two-run double in the nightcap as the Keene State College Owls 
clinched the regular-season Little East Conference title with a doubleheader sweep 
of the University of Southern Maine Huskies on Saturday afternoon.
     Keene State scored a 2-1 triumph in game one and added a 5-1 decision in game 
two to improve to 25-7 overall and 12-2 in the league.  The Owls will host the 
conference tournament, which begins on Thursday.  Southern Maine fell to 28-7 
overall and 9-5.
     The first game featured a pitchers' duel between McLoughlin and Southern 
Maine sophomore Katie Mainville (Coopers Mills, Maine).  After three scoreless 
innings, the Huskies jumped to a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth.  Junior 
Kristen Tong (Swanzey, N.H.) ripped a double, advanced to third on a sacrifice 
from Christen Lachappelle (Farmingdale, Maine) and scored on a wild pitch.
     The score remained unchanged until the bottom of the sixth inning.  Freshman 
Kathleen Gambino (Freeport, N.Y.) singled and moved to second on a sacrifice by 
junior Jen Norman (Penacook, N.H.).  Senior Adria Reynolds (Portsmouth, N.H.) 
singled to score Gambino.  The throw to the plate was cut off, and the throw to 
second base sailed into the outfield, allowing Reynolds to come home with the 
eventual winning run.
     McLoughlin fanned 10 to improve to 11-1, while Mainville, who fanned 10 and 
allowed just three hits, fell to 15-2.
     In game two, Collis gave the Owls a 2-0 lead in the top of the first with a 
two-run double, while freshman Sarah Campbell (Terryville, Conn.) scored on a wild 
pitch in the second.  Norman added an RBI-single in the fourth, and senior 
Caroline Kurkowski (Niskayuna, N.Y.) stroked an RBI double in the sixth to give 
the Owls a 5-0 lead. . 
     Southern Maine avoided the shutout in the bottom of the sixth, when senor 
Emily Forbes (North Berwick, Maine) drove in sophomore Caterina Riitano 
(Sangerville, Maine) on an infield ground out.
     Freshman Erin Fouroli (Warwick, R.I.) struck out two and yielded six hits to 
improve to 10-1, while junior Melissa Henderson (Warwick, R.I.), who fanned seven 
and walked six, fell to 12-5.

Game One                       123  456  7     R  H  E
Southern Maine (28-6; 9-4)     000  100  0     1  4  2
Keene State (24-7; 11-2)       000  002  X     2  3  2
Batteries: SM, Katie Mainville and Kristen Tong
     KS, Meghan McLoughlin and Tiffany Underhill. 
WP, McLoughlin (11-1); LP, Mainville (15-2). 
2B: SM, Tong. 
3B: None. 
HR: None. 
RBI: KS, Adria Reynolds. 
Repeat Hitters: SM, Renee Heath     KS, Reynolds.

Game Two                       123  456  7   R  H  E
Keene State (25-7; 12-2)       210  101  0   5  8  1
Southern Maine (28-7; 9-5)     000  001  0   1  8  2
Batteries: SM, Melissa Henderson, Caterina Riitano (7) and Tong 
     KS, Erin Fuoroli, McLoughlin (6) and Underhill. 
WP, Fuoroli (10-1).      LP, Henderson (12-5)
2B: KS, Caroline Kurkowski
3B: None
HR: None
RBI, SM, Emily Forbes;     KS, Abby Collis (2), Kurkowski, Jennifer Norman. 
Repeat Hitters: SM, Heath (3), Riitano;     KS, Norman, Kurkowski.

##################################################################################

Thursday, April 22, 2004

                Southern Maine Wins Sixth Straight, Sweeps Bowdoin

     GORHAM, Maine.  -  Sophomore pitcher Katie Mainville (Coopers Mills, Maine) 
fanned 11 and scattered a pair of singles to win her 15th game in the opener and 
the visiting University of Southern Maine Huskies pulled out an extra-innings 
affair in the nightcap to sweep a doubleheader with the Bowdoin College Polar 
Bears on Thursday afternoon.
     Southern Maine scored a 3-0 triumph in the game one and added a 3-1 decision 
in game two to extend its winning streak to six in a row and improve to 28-5 
overall.  Bowdoin College fell to 19-8.  The teams return to action on Saturday, 
when Southern Maine travels to Keene State and Bowdoin entertains Trinity.
     Southern Maine broke open a scoreless game with two runs in the top of the 
sixth in the opener.  With two on and one out, sophomore Cat Riitano (Sangerville, 
Maine) delivered a pinch hit single to score freshman Bevin Padgett (Needham, 
Mass.), and junior Natasha Jackson (Augusta, Maine) came home when the Bowdoin 
defense mishandled the ball.
     Southern Maine added an insurance run in the top of the seventh, when junior 
Kristen Tong (Swanzey, N.H.) singled and scored on a two-out single from Jackson. 
     Mainville improved to 15-1, while senior Erin Hanley (Foxboro, Mass.), who 
allowed six singles, five walks and two earned runs fell to 6-5 with the loss.
     Southern Maine grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top off the third of game two on an 
RBI double from senior Jessie Becher (South Paris, Maine), but Bowdoin answered 
with an RBI double off the bat of freshman pitcher Emily Nelson (Pasedena, Cal.) 
in the top of the fifth. 
     In the top of the eighth inning, freshman Christen Lachappelle (Farmingdale, 
Maine) scored on a passed ball, and senior Emily Forbes (North Berwick, Maine) 
raced home on a sacrifice bunt from senior Angela Cote (Windham, Maine).
     Junior Melissa Henderson (Newbuyport, Mass.) twirled all eight innings to 
improve to 12-4. She fanned five and allowed but two walks and four hits.  Nelson, 
who fanned nine and allowed just one earned run, fell to 10-2.

Game 1                    123  456  7     R  H  E
Southern Maine (27-5)     000  002  1     3  6  0
Bowdoin (19-7)            000  000  0     0  2  0
Batteries: SM, Katie Mainville and Kristen Tong
     B, Erin Hanley and Erin Perovich
WP, Mainville (15-1)     LP, Hanley (6-5)
2B: None
3B: None
HR: None
RBI: SM, Natasha Jackson, Cat Riitano
Repeat Hitters: SM, Renee Heath

Game 2                    123  456  78     R  H  E
Southern Maine (28-5)     001  000  02     3  4  0
Bowdoin (19-8)            000  010  00     1  4  3
Batteries: SM, Melissa Henderson and Tong
     B, Emily Nelson and Perovich
WP, Henderson (12-4)     LP, Nelson (10-2)
2B: SM, Jeesie Becher     B, M. Wyman, Nelson
3B: None
HR: None
RBI, SM, Becher, Angela Cote     B, Nelson
Repeat Hitters: SM, Becher     B, Jayme Woogerd.

##################################################################################

Wednesday, April 21, 2004

                           Southern Maine Sweeps Babson

     WELLESLEY, Mass.  --  Seniors Renee Heath (Brunswick, Maine) and Jessie 
Becher (South Paris, Maine) collected five hits apiece to propel the University of 
Southern Maine Huskies to a doubleheader sweep of the Babson College Beavers in 
non-conference action Wednesday afternoon.  The Huskies took the opener 4-2, then 
came back to win the second game 8-0.
     The two wins extended the Huskies' current winning streak to four games, and 
their overall record to 26-5-1.  Babson slips to 21-16 overall.
     In the opener, Heath had a pair of hits and drove in two runs while Becher 
had three hits and scored three times to support the strong pitching of sophomore 
Katie Mainville (Coopers Mills, Maine/Erskine Academy).  Mainville, the Little 
East Conference Pitcher of the Week and ECAC Co-Pitcher of the Week last week, 
gave up just three singles and one walk while fanning nine to pick up her 14th win 
of the season.  Only one run scored against her was earned.
     The Huskies jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning as Becher, who led 
off the game with a single, scored on an RBI single by Heath.  Heath later scored 
on an RBI single by freshman Christen Lachappelle (Farmingdale, Maine/Hall-Dale 
HS).
     Becher made it 3-0 in the second when she singled, advanced to third on an 
infield error, and scored on a passed ball.
     Babson cut the deficit to one with a pair of runs on an outfield error and a 
bases loaded walk to senior Jill Paine (Wellesley, Mass.).
     USM added an insurance run in the seventh when Becher scored on Heath's 
groundout.
     In the nightcap, junior Melissa Henderson (Newburyport, Mass.) earned her 
third shutout, and 11th win, of the campaign allowing five singles and two walks 
while striking out three.  
     The Huskies broke the ice against Babson rookie starter Stacy Schlicht 
(Hillsborough, Calif.) in the third inning when Becher singled, advanced to second 
on a sacrifice, moved to third on Heath's single and scored on a single by junior 
Kristen Tong (Swanzey, N.H.).
     Senior Angela Cote (Windham, Maine) ignited a four-run outburst in the fourth 
inning with a two-run triple.  After Becher walked and stole second, junior Ashley 
Woodcock (Jay, Maine) singled home Cote, and Heath followed with a single to plate 
Becher.
     USM brought the eight-run rule into play with three runs in the sixth.  The 
first run came home on a single by junior Natasha Jackson (Augusta, Maine/Cony HS) 
to score senior Emily Forbes (North Berwick, Maine/Noble Maine/Noble HS) who led 
off the inning with a double.  Heath followed with her third straight single to 
score Becher, and senior Darci Holland (Buckfield, Maine/Dirigo HS) capped off the 
rally with an RBI single.
     USM travels to Bowdoin College for a doubleheader Thursday.  Babson is off 
until Saturday when it plays Wheaton College in the NEWMAC tournament.

Game One                     123  456  7     R  H  E
Southern Maine  (25-5-1)     210  000  1     4 10  2
Babson  (21-15)              020  000  0     2  4  2
Batteries:  SM, Katie Mainville and Kristen Tong.
     B, Georgia Howe and Erica Barry.
Winning Pitcher:  Mainville (14-1)      B, Howe (1-2)
2B:  none
3B:  none
HR:  none
RBI:  SM, Heath 2, Lachappelle
     B, Paine
Repeat Hitters:  SM, Becher 3, Heath, Tong

Game Two                     123  456        R  H  E
Southern Maine  (26-5-1)     001  403        7 13  0
Babson  (21-16)              000  000        0  5  3
Batteries:  SM, Melissa Henderson and Kristen Tong 
     B, Stacy Schlicht, Colleen Kelly (5) and Erica Barry, Jill Paine (6).
Winning Pitcher:  Henderson (11-4)     B, Schlicht (4-6)
2B:  SM, Forbes
3B:  SM, Cote
HR:  none
RBI:  SM, Heath 2, Cote 2, Woodcock, Jackson, Tong, Lachappelle
Repeat Hitters:  SM, Heath 3, Becher, Woodcock, Forbes

##################################################################################

Tuesday, April 20, 2004

                       Southern Maine Sweeps Plymouth State

     GORHAM, Maine.  -  Sophomore pitcher Katie Mainville (Coopers Mills, Maine) 
and junior pitcher Melissa Henderson (Newburyport, Mass.) twirled a pair of 
complete-game wins and the University of Southern Maine Huskies swept a 
doubleheader from the Plymouth State University Panthers by identical scores of 
2-0 in Little East Conference action on Tuesday afternoon.
     Southern Maine improved to 24-5 overall and 9-3 in the league, while Plymouth 
State slipped to 11-14 and 3-7. The Huskies will travel to Babson tomorrow for a 
doubleheader (2:30 pm) and the Panthers will entertain UMass Boston for a pair on 
Saturday (1:00 pm).
     Game one featured a pitchers' duel between Mainville and junior Kim Jeffs 
(Stoughton, Mass.) of Plymouth State. Neither side could manufacture a run until 
the bottom of the fifth, when junior Natasha Jackson (Augusta, Maine) stroked a 
one-out single and scored on a two-out double from senior Jessie Becher (South 
Paris, Maine). The Huskies added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. 
Junior Ashley Woodcock (Jay, Maine) drew a walk to lead off the frame and later 
scored when freshman Christen Lachappelle (Farmingdale, Maine) hit into a 
fielders' choice.
     Mainville fanned nine and scattered three singles to improve to 13-1, while 
Jeffs, who fanned five and yielded six hits, fell to 7-8.
     In the second game, Woodcock drew a walk, stole second and took advantage of 
a pair of passed balls to score and give the Huskies a 1-0 lead in the top of the 
first. The Huskies added an insurance run in the top of the sixth. Senior Darci 
Holland (Buckfield, Maine) led off the inning with a single, and later scored on a 
sacrifice fly from sophomore Caterina Riitano (Sangerville, Maine).
     Henderson ensured the two runs would stand by fanning six and allowing just 
one walk and four hits to collect her 10th win of the season (10-4). Sophomore 
Rose Eaton (Concord, N.H.), who fanned two, walked two and gave up six hits 
through 6.1 innings, was charged with the loss (4-5). 

Game 1                          123  456  7     R H E
Plymouth State (11-13; 3-6)     000  000  0     0 3 0
Southern Maine (23-5; 8-3)      000  011  X     2 6 1
Batteries: SM, Katie Mainville and Tong; PS, Kim Jeffs and Heidi Beaulac. 
WP, Mainville (13-1). LP, Jeffs (7-8). 
2B: SM, Jessie Becher. 
3B: None. 
HR: None. 
RBI: SM, Jessie Becher, Christen Lachappelle. 
Repeat Hitters: None.

Game 2                          123  456  7     R H E
Southern Maine (24-5; 9-3)      100  001  0     2 6 0
Plymouth State (11-14; 3-7)     000  000  0     0 4 2
Batteries: SM, Melissa Henderson and Tong; PS, Rose Eaton, Jeffs (7) and Cathy 
Aimola. 
WP, Henderson (10-4). LP, Eaton (4-5). 
2B: PS, Maria Curren. 
3B: None. 
HR: None.
RBI: SM, Caterina Riitano. 
Repeat Hitters: SM, Tong; P, Curren.

##################################################################################

Tuesday, April 20, 2004

                     Mainville Named LEC Pitcher of the Week

     GORHAM, Maine  --  Sophomore Katie Mainville (Coopers Mills, Maine/Erskine 
Academy) of the University of Southern Maine Huskies softball team has been named 
the Little East Conference Pitcher of the Week for her outstanding efforts during 
the week of April 12-18.  The announcement was made by the conference office 
Monday.
     In five appearances last week, Mainville compiled a 4-1 record with a 
miniscule 0.18 ERA.  Among her four wins was the first no-hitter of her collegiate 
career.  In all, she worked 38.1 innings allowing just 14 hits, one earned run and 
five walks while striking out 43.
     The right-handed hurler began her week with a compete-game, three-hitter in a 
3-1 win over Endicott College.  She followed that with her first no-hitter, 
blanking Salem State College 2-0.  The only runner to reach base against Mainville 
got on via an error.
     Against UMass Boston, Mainville struck out 11 Beacons and did not allow an 
earned run in a 4-1 win.  She tossed a two-hit shutout the next afternoon against 
Eastern Connecticut State University for a 3-0 victory.  She finished the week 
hurling 10.2 innings in a 2-1 loss to Rhode Island College.  Both runs were 
unearned, and the loss was her first of the season.
     On the season, Mainville is 12-1 with one save and a 0.51 ERA.  She has 
worked 97.0 innings, giving up 51 hits and 14 walks while striking out 94.   She 
is among the conference leaders in every pitching category.
     This the second time this season that Mainville has been named LEC Pitcher of 
the Week.  She also won the award on March 29.
     Southern Maine returns to action this afternoon with a doubleheader against 
LEC rival Plymouth State University starting at 3:30 p.m.

##################################################################################

Sunday, April 18, 2004

Rhode Island College Sweeps Southern Maine, Huskies' Winning Streak Halted at 13

     GORHAM, Maine.  -  Senior pitcher Kim Warrington (North Kingstown, R.I.) 
pitched all 11 innings to earn the win in game one, and came back in relief to 
earn the save in game two, and the Rhode Island College Anchorwomen swept a 
doubleheader from the University of Southern Maine Huskies by identical 2-1 
margins in Little East Conference action on Sunday afternoon 
     The loss snapped the Huskies' 13-game winning streak, and they fell to 2-5 
overall and 7-3 in the conference. Rhode Island College, which has now won 13-of-
14 games, improved to 19-9 and 8-2. The Teams return to action on Tuesday when 
Southern Maine entertains Plymouth State and Rhode Island College plays host to 
Western Connecticut.
     Game one featured a classic pitchers' duel, and witnessed Rhode Island 
College senior Kim Warrington (North Kingstown, R.I.) narrowly outlast Southern 
Maine sophomore Katie Mainville (Coopers Mills, Maine). Warrington fanned six, 
scattered three hits and allowed three walks and no earned runs to improve to 9-5 
on the year. Mainville fanned eight, and yielded just five hits, one walk and no 
earned runs through 10.2 innings, before yielding to freshman Lindsay Booker 
(Waterville, Maine). The loss snapped Mainville's season-opening string of 12 
straight wins, and she currently stands at 12-1 on the season.
     The game remained scoreless until the top of the 11th, when the Anchorwoman 
put runners at the corners with one out. Freshman Casie Lyons (Hudson, Mass.) 
ripped a single to left to bring home junior Rachael Caldwell (Richmond, R.I.) 
with the first run of the game. Senior Sue Gaber (Colchester, Conn.) followed with 
a single to load the bases, before freshman Kristyn Alexander (East Wareham, 
Mass.) dropped a single into centerfield to drive home freshman Katelyn Labelle 
(South Dartmouth, Mass.). 
     Southern Maine rallied in the bottom of the frame to place runners at the 
corners with no outs. Junior Ashley Woodcock (Jay, Maine) drove in senior Ang Cote 
(Windham, Maine) from third with an infield ground out. However, Warrington was 
able to register the final two outs and preserve the win. 
     Gaber led off the nightcap with a walk and sophomore Meg Ponte (Wakefield, 
R.I.) followed with a single, before Alexander drove them home with a double.
     Southern Maine cut the deficit in half in the top of the second. Senior Emily 
Forbes (North Berwick, Maine) stroked a two-out single, and later came home on a 
single from Becher. 
     Neither team would score another run the rest of the game. After allowing 
three hits in the first inning, Southern Maine junior pitcher Melissa Henderson 
(Newburyport, Mass.) settled down to allow just four over the final six innings. 
For Rhode Island College, freshman Nicole Riley (North Providence, R.I.), 
surrendered seven hits through four-plus innings, before yielding to Warrington, 
who gave up but two singles through three scoreless innings of relief.

Game 1                               123  456  789  1011     R  H  E
Rhode Island College (18-9; 7-2)     000  000  000   0 2     2  5  2
Southern Maine (22-4; 7-2)           000  000  000   0 1     1  4  1
Batteries: SM, Katie Mainville and Kristen Tong; RIC, Kim Warrington and Rachael 
Caldwell. 
WP, Warrington (9-5).      LP, Mainville (12-1). 
2B: None. 
3B: SM, Jessie Becher. 
HR: None. 
RBI: SM, Ashley Woodcock; RIC, Casie Lyons, Rachel Caldwell. 
Repeat Hitters: SM, Jessie Becher (3).

Game 2                               123  456  7     R  H  E
Southern Maine (22-5; 7-3)           010  000  0     1  7  2
Rhode Island College (19-9; 8-2)     200  000  X     2  9  1
Batteries: SM, Melissa Henderson and Kristen Tong; RIC, Nicole Riley, Warrington 
(5th) and Rachael Caldwell.
WP, Riley (10-4). Save, Warrington (1). LP, Henderson (9-4). 
2B: RIC, Kristyn Alexander. 
3B: None. 
HR: None. 
RBI: SM, Becher;    RIC, Alexander (2). 
Repeat Hitters: SM, Becher, Renee Heath; RIC, Meg Ponte, Riley (3).

##################################################################################

Saturday, April 17, 2004

     Southern Maine Extends Winning Streak to 13; Sweeps Eastern Connecticut

     GORHAM, Maine.  -  Sophomore Katie Mainville (Coopers Mills, Maine) twirled a 
two-hit shutout in the opener and the University of Southern Maine Huskies erupted 
for five runs in the top of the fourth in the nightcap to sweep a doubleheader 
with the Eastern Connecticut State University Warriors in Little East Conference 
action on Saturday afternoon.
     The Huskies scored a 3-0 win in game one and added a 6-3 come-from-behind 
triumph in game two to register their 13th consecutive win and improve to 22-3 
overall and 7-1 in the conference.  Eastern Connecticut fell to 11-13 and 3-5.  
The teams return to action tomorrow afternoon, when Southern Maine hosts Rhode 
Island College and Eastern Connecticut entertains Wesleyan.
     Southern Maine grabbed a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first in the opener 
and added a single run in the fifth. Junior Kristen Tong (Swanzey, N.H.) stroked a 
two-out, two-run double in the first inning and senior Darci Holland (Buckfield, 
Maine) added an RBI single in the fifth inning.
     The three runs were more than enough for Mainville, who yielded one walk and 
a pair of singles, while fanning eight, to improve to 12-0 on the campaign.
     The Warriors scored three in the bottom of the first of the second game to 
grab the early lead.  Senior Shari D'Amico (Trumbull, Conn.) provided the big hit 
in the frame with a two-run homer and freshman Samantha Morrow (Tolland, Conn.) 
added an RBI single.
     After scoring a single run in the top of the second, the Huskies added five 
runs in the fourth to grab a 6-3 lead.  With one on and two out, the Huskies 
struck for five consecutive hits, including three doubles.  Senior Jess Becher 
(South Paris, Maine) began the rally with an RBI-double.  Junior Ashley Woodcock 
(Jay, Maine) followed with a single to give the Huskies runners at the corners, 
and senor Renee Heath (Brunswick, Maine) singled to score Becher.  Holland 
followed with a two-run double, and Tong added a double to drive home Holland.
     Junior Melissa Henderson (Newburyport, Mass.) settled down after the rough 
start to allow just three singles over the ensuing six innings. For the game, 
Henderson fanned six, and allowed one walk and seven hits. She improved to 9-3 on 
the season.

Game 1                               123  456  7     R  H  E
Eastern Connecticut (11-12; 3-4)     000  000  0     0  2  3
Southern Maine (21-3; 6-1)           200  010  X     3  7  1
Batteries: EC, Lindsay Savelle and Kelly Rowan.
 SM, Katie Mainville and Kristen Tong
WP, Mainville 12-0     LP, Savelle (8-5) 
2B: SM, Tong
3B: None
HR: None
RBI: SM, Tong (2), Darci Holland
Repeat Hitters: SM, Jessie Becher

Game 2                               123  456  7     R  H  E
Southern Maine (22-3: 7-1)           010  500  0     5 11  0
Eastern Connecticut (11-13; 3-5)     300  000  0     3  7  1
Batteries: EC, Brooke Nici, Savelle (4) and Rowan
 SM, Melissa Henderson and Tong
WP: Henderson (9-3)     LP, Nici (0-1)
2B: SM, Becher, Holland, Tong, Angela Cote
3B: None
HR: EC, Shari D'Amico (1)
RBI: SM, Becher (2), Holland (2), Heath, Tong
     EC, D'Amico (2), Samantha Morrow
Repeat Hitters: SM, Tong (3), Becher     EC, Andrea Tarbox

##################################################################################

Friday, April 16, 2004

Southern Maine Wins 11th Straight; Sweeps UMass Boston

     GORHAM, Maine.  -  The University of Southern Maine Huskies scored a 5-1 win 
in the opener before employing the eight-run rule en route to an 8-0 win in five 
innings in the nightcap, to extend their current unbeaten streak to 11 consecutive 
games with a doubleheader sweep of the University of Massachusetts Boston Beacons 
in Little East Conference action on Friday afternoon.
     Southern Maine, which improved to 20-3-1 overall and 5-1 in the conference, 
will entertain Eastern Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon (1:00 
pm).  UMass Boston slipped to 6-16 and 1-7, and will host Western Connecticut on 
Saturday (1:00 pm).
     In the opener, the Huskies broke up a scoreless game by plating three in the 
bottom of the third.  Junior Ashley Woodcock (Jay, Maine) reached on a fielder's 
choice, senior Renee Heath (Brunswick, Maine) singled and senior Darci Holland 
(Buckfield, Maine) drew a walk to load the bases with two outs.  Freshman Christen 
Lachappelle (Farmingdale, Maine) ripped a three-run triple to the warning track in 
right-centerfield to give the Huskies the lead for good. 
     The Beacons pulled to within 3-1 in the top of the fourth.  Sophomore Siobhan 
Lynch (Bordentown, N.J.) doubled and scored on an infield error off the bat of 
freshman Catherine Gentile (Salem, Conn.).  
     The Huskies answered with single runs in the fifth and sixth to account for 
the 5-1 final.  Freshman Jen Cordone (Fulton, N.Y.) doubled and scored on a single 
from Lachappelle in the fifth, and junior Natasha Jackson (Augusta, Maine) doubled 
and scored on a Cordone single in the sixth.
     Sophomore Katie Mainville (Coopers Mills, Maine) fanned 11 and scattered four 
hits through 6.2 innings.  Freshman Lindsey Booker (Waterville, Maine) recorded 
the final out.  Mainville is now 11-0 on the campaign.
     In game two, the Huskies scored three in the top of the first, added four in 
the second, and concluded the contest with a single run in the fifth.  Southern 
Maine featured a balanced attack, in which six players scored a run, and six 
players collected a hit.  Jackson, who smacked a pair of singles and drove in a 
run, was the lone player to have more than one hit.
     The Huskies also received significant contributions from sophomore Kristen 
Tong (Swanzey, N.H.), who scored two runs and had an RBI single, while Holland 
rapped an RBI single and scored, sophomore Caterina Riitano (Sangerville, Maine) 
stroked an RBI double, and Woodcock scored a pair of runs. 
     On the mound for Southern Maine, junior Melissa Henderson (Newburyport, 
Mass.) fanned eight, scattered a pair of hits and allowed one walk to improve her 
record to 8-3.

Game 1                         123  456  7   R  H  E
UMass Boston (6-15; 1-6)       000  100  0   1  4  0
Southern Maine (19-3; 4-1)     003  011  X   5  7  2
Batteries: SM, Katie Mainville and Kristen Tong
     UMB, Steph Poulis, Siobhan Lynch (3) and Chris Allen, Catie O'Reilly (3). 
WP, Mainville 11-0     LP, Lynch
2B: SM, Natasha Jackson, Jen Cordone    UMB, Siobhan Lynch. 
3B: SM, Christen Lachappelle  
HR: None 
RBI: SM, Lachappelle (4), Jen Cordone 
Repeat Hitters: SM, Jackson, Cordone, Lachappelle

Game 2                         123  456  7   R  H  E
Southern Maine (20-3; 5-1)     340  01X  X   8  7  1
UMass Boston (6-16; 1-7)       000  00X  X   0  2  4
Batteries: SM, Melissa Henderson and Tong.
     UMB, Carla Collins, Lynch (2), and Allen, O'Reilly (3) 
WP: Henderson (8-3)    LP, Collins 
2B: SM, Caterina Riitano    UMB, Jessie Baird 
3B: None 
HR: None 
RBI: SM, Darci Holland, Kristen Tong, Jackson, Riitano. 
Repeat Hitters: SM, Jackson.

##################################################################################

Thursday, April 15, 2004

Southern  Maine Takes Two From Salem State, 2-0, 3-2

     GORHAM, Maine.  -  Sophomore pitcher Katie Mainville (Coopers Mills, Maine) 
fired a no-hitter in the opener and junior Melissa Henderson (Newburyport, Mass.) 
fanned 13 in the nightcap to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a 
doubleheader sweep of the visiting Salem State College Vikings in non-conference 
action on Thursday afternoon.
     Southern Maine took the opener by a 2-0 margin, and rallied to post a 3-2 
decision in the second game to improve to 18-3-1 on the season.  Salem State 
slipped to 3-16.  The Huskies will entertain UMass Boston tomorrow afternoon (3:30 
pm), while the Vikings will visit Fitchburg State on Saturday.
     The Huskies scored the only runs of the opener in the bottom of the fourth 
inning.  Junior Kristen Tong (Swanzey, N.H.) led off the frame with a triple and 
scored when freshman Christen Lachappelle (Farmingdale, Maine) followed with a 
single.  Senior Emily Forbes (North Berwick, Maine) drove in Lachappelle with a 
single.
     Mainville, who improved to 10-0, ensured the lead would hold by fanning nine, 
and surrendering no walks and but one base runner. Sophomore Jess DaSilva (Revere, 
Mass.) reached on an error in the top of the fourth, as Mainville faced just one 
batter over the seven-inning minimum.
     In the second game, the Huskies received an equally-stellar pitching 
performance from Henderson, who scattered four hits and fanned all nine Salem 
State batters at least once to improve to 7-3.  However, the Huskies needed a one-
out, two-run double in the bottom of the seventh from sophomore Caterina Riitano 
(Sangerville, Maine) to pull out the 3-2 triumph.  Tong reached on an error to 
lead off the frame and took third when Jessie Becher (South Berwick, Maine) ripped 
a one-out double.  Riitano followed with a double to score Tong and Becher and end 
the game. 
     The Vikings had taken a 2-0 lead in the top of the sixth inning, when 
sophomore Cindy Gill (Woburn, Mass.) stroked a two-out double to score junior 
Carleen Wasterferro (Revere, Mass.) and DaSilva.
     Southern Maine pulled to within 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth, when junior 
Ashley Woodcock (Jay, Maine) ripped a double and took third and home on a pair of 
passed balls. 

Game 1                    123  456  7     R  H  E
Salem State (3-15)        000  000  0     0  0  0
Southern Maine (17-3)     000  200  X     2  7  1
Batteries: SM, Katie Mainville and Kristen Tong
     SC, Megan Giammalvo and Cindy Gill.  
WP, Mainville 10-0; LP, Giammalvo. 
2B: None. 
3B: SM, Woodcock. 
HR: None. 
RBI: SM, Emily Forbes, Christen Lachappelle. 
Repeat Hitters: SM, Jessie Becher (3), Lachappelle.

Game 2                    123  456  7     R  H  E
Salem State (3-16)        000  002  0     2  4  4
Southern Maine (18-3)     000  001  2     3  5  0
Batteries: SM, Melissa Henderson and Tong.
     SC, Michelle Bruno and Gill. 
WP: Henderson (7-3); LP, Bruno. 
2B: SM, Ashley Woodcock, Becher, Caterina Riitano; SC, Gill, Giammalvo. 
3B: None. 
HR: None. 
RBI: SM, Riitano 2, SC, Gill 2
Repeat Hitters: None.

##################################################################################

Wednesday, April 14, 2004

                         USM Softball at Babson Postponed

     GORHAM, Maine  --  Today's makeup softball doubleheader between the 
University of Southern Maine and Babson College has been postponed due to the 
inclement weather and rescheduled for Wednesday, April 21 at 2:30 p.m.
     The teams were originally scheduled to play at Babson on April 1.

##################################################################################

Tuesday, April 13, 2004

                          USM Athletic Events Postponed

     GORHAM, Maine  --  Three University of Southern Maine athletic events 
scheduled for today (Tuesday, April 13) have been postponed due to the inclement 
weather.
     The home softball doubleheader with the University of Massachusetts Boston 
also has been rescheduled to Friday with the starting time to be announced.
     Today's baseball game at Endicott College has been postponed.  No makeup date 
has been announced.
     The men's tennis match at Bridgewater State College has been rescheduled for 
this Friday (April 16) at 3:00 p.m.

##################################################################################

Monday, April 12, 2004

                    Huskies Come From Behind to Beat Gulls 3-1
                 Second Game Halted After Seven Innings Tied 4-4

     BEVERLY, Mass  --  Sophomore pitcher Katie Mainville (Coopers Mills, 
Maine/Erskine Academy) allowed just two hits and no earned runs as the University 
of Southern Maine Huskies came from behind in the late innings to post a 3-1 
victory over the Endicott College Gulls in the first game of their non-conference 
doubleheader Monday afternoon.
     In the nightcap, the Huskies were batting in the top of the eighth inning 
leading 9-4 when play was halted because of darkness.  Endicott had tied the game 
with two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to force the extra inning.  
Officials from both schools will have to confer whether the game will be resumed 
from the point it was stopped at a later date or be declared a tie.
     The win in the opener extended the Huskies overall record to 16-3.  Endicott, 
which had its six-game winning streak stopped, is 16-7.  
     Mainville extended her unbeaten record to 9-0, allowing two singles and two 
walks while striking out seven.  The only run the Gulls got was unearned and came 
without the benefit of a hit in the second inning.
     Senior Darci Holland (Buckfield, Maine) was the offensive hero for the 
Huskies as she stroked a two-out, two-run double in the sixth inning to put the 
Huskies ahead 2-1.  USM added an insurance run in the seventh on an RBI single by 
freshman Christen Lachappelle (Farmingdale, Maine/Hall-Dale HS).
     The Huskies started fast in the second game, taking a 2-0 lead in the first 
on a two-run double by junior Kristen Tong (Swanzey, N.H.).
     Endicott rallied in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game in a two-
run double by junior Elyse Colby (Manchester, N.H.).
     USM took a 4-2 lead in the fourth on RBI singles by senior Angela Cote 
(Windham, Maine) and Lachappelle.
     One out away from being swept, the Gulls nearly pulled out a dramatic 
comeback win.  Junior Megan Young (Portland, Maine) singled and Colby reached on 
an error to put runners at second and third.  Senior Laura Mangini (Gansevoort, 
N.Y.) singled home both runners to tie the game.  Freshman Laura Schack (Milford, 
Conn.) singled, but Mangini was cut down at the plate trying to score all the way 
from first base.
     Southern Maine is scheduled to host the University of Massachusetts Boston in 
a Little East Conference doubleheader Tuesday, starting at 3:30 p.m.  Endicott 
will host Eastern Nazarene College for a twinbill, also on Tuesday.

Game One                   123  456  7     R  H  E
Southern Maine  (16-3)     000  002  1     3  7  1
Endicott  (16-7)           010  000  0     1  2  1
Batteries:  SM, Katie Mainville and Kristen Tong
     E, Robyn Savitske and Megan Young
Winning Pitcher:  Mainville (9-0)
Losing Pitcher:  Savitske (6-3)
2B:  SM, Holland, Lachappelle          
3B:  none          
HR:  none
RBI:  SM, Holland 2, Lachappelle 
Repeat Hitters:  SM, Lachappelle, Holland, Cote

Game Two (Halted Game)     123     456     7     R     H     E
Southern Maine     200     200     0     4     9     2
Endicott     200     000     2     4     7     3
Batteries:  SM, Melissa Henderson and Kristen Tong
      E, Nicole Reather and Megan Young
2B:  E, Colby 2          
3B:  none          
HR:  none
RBI:  SM, Tong 2, Lachappelle, Cote
     E, Colby 2, Mangini 2
Repeat Hitters:  SM, Lachappelle, Heath, Tong
     E, Colby

##################################################################################

Saturday, April 10, 2004

                   Southern  Maine Takes Two at UMass Dartmouth

     NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass.  - Sophomore Katie Mainville (Coopers Mills, Maine) 
twirled a complete-game, three-hit, shutout in the opener, and junior Ashley 
Woodcock (Jay, Maine) collected three hits and an RBI in the nightcap to lead the 
University of Southern Maine Huskies to a doubleheader sweep of the University of 
Massachusetts Dartmouth Corsairs in Little East Conference action on Saturday 
afternoon.
     Southern Maine took the first game by a 3-0 margin and added a 4-2 triumph in 
the second game to extend its winning streak to six in a row and improve to 15-3 
overall and 3-1 in the conference. UMass Dartmouth fell to 2-6 and 1-3. The 
Huskies will play two at Endicott College on Monday, while the Corsairs will host 
a doubleheader with Rhode Island College on Tuesday. 
     The Huskies employed a two-out, two-run rally to grab a 2-0 lead in the top 
of the first of the opener. Senior Renee Heath (Brunswick, Maine) singled and 
scored when senior Darci Holland (Buckfield, Maine) reached on an error. Junior 
Kristen Tong (Swanzey, N.H.) followed with a single to score Holland.
     Southern Maine added a single run in the third to account for the 3-0 final 
score. Woodcock reached on a bunt single and later scored on an RBI single off the 
bat of freshman Christen Lachappelle (Farmingdale, Maine). Mainville fanned nine, 
scattered three singles and allowed one walk to extend her season-opening winning 
streak to 8-0. Senior pitcher Jennifer Ayotte (Swansea, Mass.), who gave up six 
singles and seven hits, was charged with the loss.
     In the second game, the Huskies scored single runs in the first, second, 
fifth and sixth to build a 4-0 lead, and then held off a two-run, seventh-inning 
rally by the Corsairs. Becher drew a lead off walk and scored on a single from 
Holland in the first inning, and drove in senior Angela Cote (Windham, Maine) with 
a ground out in the second inning.
     Holland reached on a fielder's choice in the fifth inning and later scored 
when the UMass Dartmouth defense misplayed a fly ball off the bat of Lachappelle. 
In the sixth inning, junior Natasha Jackson (Augusta, Maine) reached on an error 
and scored on a single from Woodcock.
     UMass Dartmouth broke up the shut out in the bottom of the seventh when 
Meghan Fenton (Dartmouth, Mass.) stroked an RBI single. The Corsairs added a 
second run on a wild pitch, and had the tying run at the plate when the junior 
pitcher Melissa Henderson (Newburyport, Mass.) forced the final out. Henderson, 
who improved to 
6-3, finished the contest with nine strikeouts, one walk and four hits. Sophomore 
Amanda Leal (New Bedford, Mass.) gave up two runs through four innings to fall to 
1-1.

Game 1                         123  456  7     R  H  E
Southern Maine (14-3; 2-1)     201  000  0     3  7  0
UMass Dartmouth (2-5; 1-2)     000  000  0     0  3  1
Batteries: SM, Katie Mainville and Kristen Tong.
     UMD, Jennifer Ayotte and Shannon Allberry. 
Winning Pitcher, Mainville 8-0     Losing Pitcher, Ayotte (1-3)
2B: SM, Darci Holland. 
3B: None. 
HR: None. 
RBI: SM, Tong, Christen Lachappelle. 
Repeat Hitters: SM, Tong, Lachappelle.

Game 2                         123  456  7     R  H  E
UMass Dartmouth (2-6; 1-3)     000  000  2     2  4  2
Southern Maine (15-3; 3-1)     110  011  X     4  8  0
Batteries: SM, Melissa Henderson and Tong. 
     UMD, Amanda Leal, Ayotte (4) and Cheryl Boltruczyk, Allberry (4). 
Winning Pitcher: Henderson (6-3)    Losing Pitcher: Leal (1-1). 
2B: SM, Renee Heath, UMD, Allberry. 
3B: None. 
HR: None. 
RBI: SM, Jessie Becher, Ashley Woodcock, Holland     UMD, Meghan Fenton. 
Repeat Hitters: SM, Woodcock (3), Heath.

##################################################################################

Friday, April 9, 2004

                        USM-Babson Softball DH Rescheduled

     GORHAM, Maine  --  The college softball doubleheader between the University 
of Southern Maine Huskies and the Babson College Beavers, originally scheduled for 
April 1, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 14 at Babson.  The first game 
starts at 2:30 p.m.

##################################################################################

Thursday, April 8, 2004

                    Southern Maine Sweeps St. Joseph's College

     GORHAM, Maine  - Sophomore Katie Mainville (Coopers Mills, Maine) twirled a 
one-hitter in the opener and junior catcher Kristen Tong (Swanzey, N.H.) stroked a 
pair of doubles and scored two runs in the nightcap to lead the University of 
Southern Maine Huskies to a doubleheader sweep of the visiting St. Joseph's 
College Monks in non-league action on Thursday afternoon.
     Southern Maine employed the eight-run rule en route to an 11-0 win in five 
innings in the opener, and added a 6-2 triumph in the nightcap to extend its 
winning streak to four in a row and improve to 13-3 on the season. St. Joseph's 
dropped to 4-15. The Huskies return to action on Saturday when they visit the 
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and the Monks will be idle until traveling 
to Thomas College on Monday.
     The Huskies scored all 11 runs in the third inning of the opener, when they 
sent 15 batters to the plate and collected eight hits.  Seniors Angela Cote 
(Windham, Maine) and Jessie Becher (South Paris, Maine) and junior Natasha Jackson 
(Augusta, Maine) each scored twice in the inning.  Woodcock also ripped a two-run 
triple, while senior Renee Heath (Brunswick, Maine) drove in two runs with a 
double.
     The offensive outburst was more than enough for Mainville, who retired 11 
consecutive batters before surrendering a two-out single to junior Kahler Dowling 
(Augusta, Maine) in the fourth inning.  Mainville finished the game with four 
strikeouts and one base on balls to improve to a perfect 7-0 on the campaign.
     The Monks grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning of the second game, before 
the Huskies responded with two in the second inning to take the lead for good.  
Senior Darci Holland (Buckfield, Maine) reached on an error and scored on a passed 
ball, while Tong double and scored on an error.
     The Huskies broke the game open with four runs in the third inning.  Holland 
singled and scored on a two-run double by freshman Christen Lachappelle 
(Farmingdale, Maine), who later scored on a double by Jackson.
     The Monks added one in the sixth to account for the 6-2 final score.  Junior 
Allyson Ferguson (Sabattus, Maine) drew a lead off walk and came home on a double 
from Dowling.
     Junior Melissa Henderson (Newburyport, Mass.) scattered seven hits, fanned 
six and allowed two walks to earn the complete-game win for the Huskies.  Ferguson 
went the distance for the Monks and gave up eight hits, including six for extra 
bases.  Of the six runs she surrendered, only one was earned. The St. Joe's 
defense committed three errors. 

Game 1                    123     45     R   H   E
St. Joseph's (4-14)       000     00     0   1   4
Southern Maine (12-3)     00(11)  0X    11   9   0 
Batteries: SJ, Kahler Dowling, Colleen Delahanty (3) and Debbie Bain.
     SM, Katie Mainville and Kristen Tong;
 WP: Mainville (7-0). LP:Dowling (2-5). 
2B: SM, Renee Heath. 
3B: SM, Ashley Woodcock, Tong. 
HR: None. 
RBI: SM, Woodcock (2), Heath (2), Jessie Becher, Tong, and Ang Cote. 
Repeat Hitters: SM, Caterina Riitano and Cote.

Game 2                    123  456  7     R   H   E
St. Joseph's (4-15)       100  001  0     2   7   3
Southern Maine (13-3)     024  000  X     6   8   0
Batteries: SJ, Allyson Ferguson and Debbie Bain.
     SM, Melissa Henderson and Tong.
 WP: Henderson (5-3); LP: Ferguson. 
2B: SM, Tong (2), Becher, Christen Lachappelle, Natasha Jackson; SJ, Helene Liaci, 
Dowling. 
3B: SM, Woodcock. 
HR: None. 
RBI: SM, Lachappelle (2), Jackson. 
     SJ, Liaci, Dowling. 
Repeat Hitters: SM, Tong. 
     SJ, Amanda Roy.

##################################################################################

Tuesday, April 6, 2004

                     Southern Maine Sweeps Bridgewater State

     BRIDGEWATER, Mass.  - Freshman Christen Lachappelle (Farmingdale, Maine) 
collected four hits and two RBI in the opener, while junior Melissa Henderson 
(Newburyport, Mass.) earned the complete-game win in the nightcap, as the 
University of Southern Maine Huskies swept a doubleheader from the Bridgewater 
State College Bears by scores of 8-5 and 5-2 on Tuesday afternoon.
     Southern Maine, which improved to 11-3 on the season, will host St. Joseph's 
College on Thursday (3:00 pm).  Bridgewater State, which slipped to 9-13, will 
also play on Thursday when it travels to Tufts.
     The Huskies jumped out to a 6-0 lead through five innings and then held off a 
late Bridgewater State rally in the opener.  Sophomore Caterina Riitano 
(Sangerville, Maine) drove in three runs with a bases loaded triple to give the 
Huskies a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning.
     Southern Maine added two runs in the third and one in the fifth, but 
Bridgewater scored a pair in the top of the sixth to pull within 6-2. The Huskies 
answered with a two-out, two-run rally in the bottom of the frame.  Senior Darci 
Holland (Buckfield, Maine) doubled and scored on a triple by senior Angela Cote 
(Windham, Maine).  Cote scored on a single from Lachappelle.
     Bridgewater rallied again in the top of the sixth, loading the bases with one 
out.  Sophomore Meghan Murphy (Walpole, Mass.) followed with a grand slam.  
However, junior Jennifer Quental (Swansea, Mass.) was called out after passing the 
base runner ahead of her.  The three runs pulled Bridgewater within 8-5.  Southern 
Maine sophomore pitcher Katie Mainville (Coopers Mills, Maine), who fanned eight 
and allowed no walks, retired the ensuing batter to end the game.
     In the second game, the Huskies received RBI-singles from senior Renee Heath 
(Brunswick, Maine), in the first inning, and Holland, in the third to grab a 2-0 
lead.  Bridgewater tied the affair in the top of the fourth, when Murphy stroked 
an RBI-double, and later scored on single by Kaylee Hargreaves (Norwood, Mass.). 
     The Huskies answered with two in the bottom of the frame to reclaim a two-run 
lead at 4-2. Senior Jessie Becher (South Paris, Maine) bluffed a steal of second 
base, to draw a throw, which enabled Cote to steal home.  Becher later scored on a 
pass ball.  Cote also scored the game's final run in the bottom of the fifth on an 
infield error. 
     On the hill for the Huskies, Henderson fanned five and allowed one walk to 
improve to 4-3.

Game 1                      123  456  7     R   H   E
Bridgewater State (9-12)    000  002  3     5   8   0
Southern Maine (10-3)       032  012  x     8  13   1
Batteries: SM: Katie Mainville, Lindsey Booker (7), Mainville (7) and Kristen 
Tong. 
     B, Kaitlyn Gambino and Abigail Scott. 
Winning Pitcher: Mainville (6-0).     Losing Pitcher: Gambino (4-8). 
2B: SM, Darci Holland, Caterina Riitano; B, Scott. 
3B: SM, Tong. 
HR: B, Meghan Murphy.  
RBI: SM, Riitano (3), Tong (2), Christen Lachappelle (2), Natasha Jackson; B, 
Murphy (3), Scott. Repeat Hitters: SM, Lachappelle (4), Holland, Tong, Jackson. B, 
Natalie Barbanti (3), Murphy, Scott.

Game 2                      123  456  7     R   H   E
Bridgewater State (9-13)    000  200  0     2   5   4
Southern Maine (11-3)       101  110  x     5  11   1
Batteries: SM, Melissa Henderson and Tong; 
     B, Katie Tauber and Scott. 
Winning Pitcher: Henderson (4-3).      Losing Pitcher: Tauber (5-7). 
2B: SM, Renee Heath. 
3B: SM, Cote. 
HR: None.  
RBI: SM, Heath, Holland, Cote.     B, Murphy, Tauber. 
Repeat Hitters: SM, Ashley Woodcock, Heath, Cote.    B, Murphy (3).

##################################################################################

Monday, April 5, 2004

                     USM-Bridgewater State Softball DH Moved

     GORHAM, Maine  --  The college softball doubleheader scheduled for tomorrow 
(Tuesday, April 6) between the University of Southern Maine and Bridgewater State 
College has been moved to Bridgewater State due to unplayable field conditions at 
USM's Towers Field.
     The first game will start at 3:00 p.m.

##################################################################################

Saturday, April 3, 2004

     GORHAM, Maine  --  The non-conference softball doubleheader between the 
University of Southern Maine and Colby College, scheduled for Sunday, April 4 
(1:00 p.m.), has been postponed due to unplayable field conditions.  No make-up 
date has been announced.

##################################################################################

Friday, April 2, 2004

                     USM-RIC Softball Doubleheader Postponed

     GORHAM, Maine  --  The Little East Conference softball doubleheader between 
the University of Southern Maine  and Rhode Island College, scheduled for Saturday 
(April 3) afternoon, has been postponed due to the inclement weather and field 
conditions.
     The doubleheader has been rescheduled to Sunday, April 18 at USM.

##################################################################################

Thursday, April 1, 2004

                        USM-Babson Doubleheader Postponed

     GORHAM, Maine  --  Today's softball doubleheader between the University of 
Southern Maine Huskies and the Babson College Beavers has been postponed due to 
the inclement weather.  No make-up date has been announced.

##################################################################################

Monday, March 29, 2004

                    USM Pair Garners LEC Weekly Softball Awards

     GORHAM, Maine  --  Senior infielder Jesse Becher (South Paris, Maine/Oxford 
Hills HS) and sophomore pitcher Katie Mainville (Coopers Mills, Maine/Erskine 
Academy) of the University of Southern Maine softball team have been selected for 
weekly honors by the Little East Conference for games played from the start of the 
season through March 28.
     Becher was chosen as the LEC Player of the Week while Mainville shared the 
Pitcher of the Week honor with Kim Jeffs of Plymouth State University.  The other 
weekly award winner was Keene State College freshman pitcher Erin Fuoroli as the 
Rookie of the Week.  The announcement of the first weekly honors for the 2004 
season was made Monday afternoon.
     In the Huskies' first 12 games this season, Becher batted .472 (17 for 36) 
with eight runs scored, three doubles, four stolen bases and eight RBI.  She hit 
safely in all 12 games and compiled an on-base percentage of .548.  Her two-out 
double in the top of the ninth inning drove in what proved to be the winning run 
in the Huskies' 2-1 win over Western Connecticut State University in the first 
game of a doubleheader Saturday.  This is the third time in her career that Becher 
has received an LEC weekly award.
     Mainville compiled a 5-0 record with one save and a 0.71 ERA in her first six 
appearances of the season.  In her sixth appearances, she has worked 39.2 innings 
allowing 29 hits (27 singles), walked seven and struck out 29.  She has five 
complete games, including a nine-inning effort to beat Western Connecticut, and a 
pair of shutouts.  This is the second time that Mainville has received a weekly 
LEC honor.
     The Huskies next scheduled action is Thursday when they travel to Babson 
College (2:30 p.m.) for a non-conference doubleheader.  USM's home opener is 
Saturday when Rhode Island College (1:00 p.m.) comes to the Gorham campus for a 
Little East Conference doubleheader.

##################################################################################

Saturday, March 27, 2004

                     USM Splits a Pair at Western Connecticut

     DANBURY, Conn.  - Sophomore Natasha Jackson (Augusta, Maine), hit an RBI-
sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth inning to lift the University of Southern 
Maine Huskies to a 2-1 triumph in the opener, but senior Katie Wardlow (Old 
Bridge, N.J.) and sophomore Emily Cullen (Bethel, Conn.) each contributed three 
hits and two RBI as the Western Connecticut State University Colonials held on for 
a 5-3 triumph in the nightcap of the Little East Conference opener for each team 
on Saturday afternoon
     Southern Maine now stands at 9-3 overall and 1-1 in the league, while Western 
Connecticut is 3-6 and 1-1. The Huskies return to action on Thursday when they 
travel to Babson College for a doubleheader, while the Colonials will host 
Plattsburgh in a single game tomorrow morning.
     Western Connecticut grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning of the opener on 
an RBI-sacrifice fly by sophomore Mallory Zenkus (Seymour, Conn.). The Huskies 
tied the affair in the top of the third, when senior Jessie Becher (South Paris, 
Maine) stroked a two-out double to score freshman Christen Lachappelle 
(Farmingdale, Maine).
     The score remained unchanged until the top of the ninth, when the Huskies 
loaded the bases with one out on a pair of walks and an infield error. Senior 
Renee Heath (Brunswick, Maine) came home with the eventual game-winning run on 
Jackson's sacrifice fly.
     On the hill for the Huskies, sophomore Katie Mainville (Coopers Mills, Maine) 
struck out two, walked one and scattered eight hits (six singles) to earn the 
complete game win and improve to 5-0. For the Colonials, freshman Meg Cirigliano 
(Newington, Conn.) fell to 2-3 on the season, after fanning two, yielding six 
walks and just three hits, through 8.1 innings. Junior Brooke Morris (Stamford, 
Conn.) came on in relief and retired the two batters she faced, but allowed the 
game-winning sacrifice fly.
     Western Connecticut jumped to a 3-0 lead through four innings of play in the 
second game, before the Huskies scored single runs in the fifth and sixth to pull 
within 3-2 entering the seventh. However, the Colonials put together a two-out, 
two-run rally to grab a seemingly comfortable 5-2 lead. Cullen roped an RBI double 
to left to score sophomore Holly Szymanski (Wallingford, Conn.). Sophomore Jess 
Cioffi (Danbury, Conn.) came into run for Cullen and scored on an RBI single off 
the bat of Wardlow.
     Becher led off the Huskies' final at bat with a single to left and advanced 
to third on a pair of infield outs. Senior Darci Holland (Buckfield, Maine) drove 
Becher home with a single, and took third on single by junior Kristen Tong 
(Swanzey, N.H.), who advanced to second on the throw, providing the Huskies with 
runners on second and third with two outs. 
     Morris ended the rally and the game when she retired Jackson for the final 
out. Morris finished the game with two strike outs, two walks, two earned runs and 
10 hits to even her record at 1-1. For the Huskies, junior Melissa Henderson 
(Newburyport, Mass.), who fell to 3-3, fanned four, walked one, and allowed four 
earned runs and eight hits.

Game One                           123  456  789   R  H  E
Southern Maine (9-2; 1-0)          001  000  001   2  3  2
Western Connecticut (2-6; 0-1)     100  000  000   1  8  1
Batteries: SM, Katie Mainville and Kristen Tong.
     WC, Meg Cirigliano, Brooke Morris (9) and Christine Valie. 
Winning Pitcher: SM, Mainville (5-0).    Losing Pitcher: W, Cirigliano (2-3). 
2B:SM, Becher;     W, Szymanski, Walsh; 
3B: None. 
HR: None. 
RBI: SM, Becher, Jackson
     W, Zenkus. 
Repeat Hitters: SM, Tong.

Game Two                           123  456  7   R  H  E
Western Connecticut (3-6; 1-1)     102  000  2   5  8  1
Southern Maine (9-3; 1-1)          000  011  1   3 10  2
Batteries: SM, Melissa Henderson and Kristen Tong.
     WC, Brooke Morris and Christine Valie. 
Winning Pitcher: W, Morris (1-1).     Losing Pitcher: SM, Henderson (3-3). 
2B: W, Szymanski, Cullen, Wardlow. 
3B: None. 
HR: None. 
RBI: SM, Becher, Holland, Jackson
     W, Cullen (2), Wardlow (2). 
Repeat Hitters: S, Holland (3), Lachappelle;
     W, Cullen (3), Wardlow (3), Szymanski.

##################################################################################

Tuesday, March 23, 2004

USM Wins Two; Concludes 10-Game Florida Swing with an 8-2 Mark

     FORT MYERS, Fla.  - Southern Maine received three RBI from senior Renee Heath 
(Brunswick, Maine) and two from junior Kristen Tong (Swanzey, N.H.) en route to an 
11-2 win over Albright College, and relied on the solid pitching of sophomore 
Katie Mainville (Coopers Mills, Maine) to post a 2-1 triumph over Union College on 
Tuesday morning.
     Southern Maine concluded its 10-game, Florida stint with an overall record of 
8-2, marking the team's best performance since it began traveling to the Sunshine 
State at the onset of the 1997 campaign.  The Huskies return to action on 
Saturday, when they open Little East Conference play at Western Connecticut.
     Albright jumped to an early 1-0 lead on a solo homer by freshman Megan Colon 
(Reading, Pa.) with one out in the bottom of the first.  Southern Maine answered 
with a two-run homer from Heath to grab a 2-1 lead in the top of the second.  The 
Huskies extended their lead 4-2 through four innings of play, before parlaying 
seven singles, a sacrifice bunt and four Albright errors into seven runs in the 
top of the fifth to invoke the eight-run rule.
     Tong, who collected a pair of singles, drove in two runs and scored one, was 
the offensive star of the inning. She singled in her first at bat, and later 
scored a single by freshman Christen Lachappelle (Farmingdale, Maine).  In her 
second at bat of the frame, Tong delivered a single to score Heath and Darci 
Holland (Buckfield, Maine).
     Junior Melissa Henderson (Newburyport, Mass.) yielded one earned run and five 
hits, while fanning five through 4.2 innings of work, before freshman Lindsey 
Booker (Waterville, Maine) came on to record the game's final out.
     In the second contest, the Huskies scored single runs in the first and second 
innings and held off a late rally by the Dutchwomen to post the 2-1 triumph.  
Becher provided Southern Maine with a 1-0 lead in the first, when she drew a walk, 
took third on an infield error and came home on a single by Heath.
     Lachappelle doubled the Huskies' advantage in the second after reaching on an 
error.  She advanced to third on the Dutchwomen's second error of the frame, and 
scored on a pinch-hit single from sophomore Caterina Riitano (Sangerville, Maine).
     Union took advantage of a pair of Southern Maine errors in the top of the 
seventh to initiate a late rally.  Sophomore Caitlin DelZotto (Altamont, N.Y.) 
singled and took second on a fielding error.  Sophomore Jackie Coffey (Boston, 
Mass.) reached first on a high pop up, which the Huskies' infield lost in the sun.  
After sophomore Beth Carcone (Utica, N.Y.) followed with a sacrifice bunt, 
freshman Elsie Nichols (Pittsfield, Mass.) singled to right, scoring DelZotto and 
creating a first and third opportunity with one out.  However, Mainville forced 
the ensuing two Dutchwomen to hit infield flies to preserve the win.  Mainville, 
who scattered six singles, improved to 4-0 on the season. 

Game One                 123  45         R   H   E
Southern Maine (7-2)     020  27        11  10   1
Albright (4-5)           100  10         2   5   7
Batteries: SM, Melissa Henderson, Lindsey Booker (5) and Kristen Tong.
     AC, Ashley Young, Kelli Kaelber (5) and Meridith Hippert. 
Winning Pitcher: Henderson (3-2). Losing Pitcher: Young. 
2B: AC, Gibson; 3B: None; HR: SM, Renee Heath (2), AC, Megan Colon. 
RBI: SM, Heath (3), Tong (2), Becher, Lachappelle, Riitano
     AC, Colon. 
Repeat Hitters: SM, Becher, Heath, Tong     AC, Colon.

Game Two                 123  456  7     R     H     E
Union (5-1)              000  000  1     1     8     4
Southern Maine (8-2)     110  000  X     2     6     2
Batteries: U, Jackie Coffey and Alicia Gifford
     SM, Katie Mainville and Kristen Tong. 
Winning Pitcher: Mainville (4-0). Losing Pitcher: Coffey. 
2B: None. 3B: None; HR: None. 
RBI: U, Nichols; SM, Riitano, Heath. 
Repeat Hitters: U, Nichols.

##################################################################################

Monday, March 22, 2004

                      USM Huskies Split Two Games in Florida

     FT. MYERS, Fla.  --  The University of Southern Maine Huskies softball team 
split a pair of extra-inning games Monday at the Lee County Complex in Ft. Myers, 
Fla., to run their record to 6-2 on the season.
In the first game, sophomore right-hander Katie Mainville (Coopers Mills, Maine) 
hurled a complete game and senior Renee Heath (Brunswick, Maine) drove in the 
winning run with a sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth inning to give the 
Huskies a 4-3 triumph over Lawrence University (Appleton, Wis.), extending USM's 
winning streak to five games.
     The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks snapped the Huskies' winning 
streak in the second game when senior Erin Bravo (Arlington Heights, Ill.) drove 
in the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning for a 3-2 victory.
     Against Lawrence, Mainville was sailing along until two out in the seventh 
when senior Jenny Burris (Gurnee, Ill.) drove in two runs to tie the game and 
force extra innings.
     With tiebreaker rules in effect, senior Jesse Becher (South Paris, Maine) 
started the ninth inning at second base.  Junior Ashley Woodcock (Jay, Maine) 
sacrificed Becher to third, and Heath delivered in the clutch with a fly to left 
field that scored Becher.  Mainville protected the lead in the bottom half of the 
inning to collect her third win of the season against no losses.
     USM had built a 3-1 lead with single runs in the first, fourth and fifth 
innings.  Senior Darci Holland (Buckfield, Maine) was the hitting star for the 
Huskies with three singles.
     In another nail biter, Southern Maine rallied from a 1-0 deficit with two 
runs in the top of the fifth to take a 2-1 advantage against Warhawks.  Walks to 
senior Angela Cote (Windham, Maine) and Woodcock sandwiched a single by Becher to 
load the bases.  Heath forced home the first run when she was hit by a pitch from 
UWW starter Dana Jakoubek (Brookfield, Ill.).  Sophomore Lauren Morstad (Elgin, 
Ill.) came on in relief for the Warhawks and promptly hit Holland with a pitch 
forcing home another run.  Morstad escaped further trouble to keep it a one-run 
game.
     UWW tied the game in the bottom of the fifth on a groundout, and won it in 
the bottom of the eighth on Bravo's bad hop single over shortstop.
     Morstad picked up her second win of the season pitching four hitless innings 
of relief.  Junior Melissa Henderson (Newburyport, Mass.) was the tough luck loser 
for the Huskies.
     Southern Maine concludes its 10-game Florida swing Tuesday with single games 
against Albright College (Reading, Pa.) and Union College.

Game One                  123  456  789     R   H   E
Southern Maine  (6-1)     100  110  001     4  10   1
Lawrence  (0-3)           100  000  200     3   7   3
Batteries:  SM, Katie Mainville and Kristen Tong.
     L, Lauren Kost, Pam Schimanski (6) and Loni Philbrick-Linzmeyer.
Winning Pitcher:  Mainville (3-0)     Losing Pitcher:  Schimanski
Doubles:  none          Triples:  none          Home Runs:  none
RBI:  SM, Becher, Holland, Jackson, Heath     L, Burris 2, Eaton.
Repeat Hitters:  SM, Holland 3     L, Reason, Burris, Eaton

Game Two                        123  456  78     R   H   E
Southern Maine  (6-2)           000  020  00     2   3   2
Wisconsin-Whitewater  (4-1)     100  010  01     3   6   0
Batteries:  SM, Melissa Henderson and Kristen Tong.
    WW, Dana Jakoubek, Lauren Morstad (5) and Leah Becherer.
Wining Pitcher:  Morstad (2-1)     Losing Pitcher:  Henderson (2-2)
Doubles:  SM, Tong          Triples:  none          Home Runs:  none
RBI:  Heath, Holland     WW, Thompson 2, Bravo
Repeat Hitters:  none

##################################################################################

Saturday, March 20, 2004

         USM Wins Two; Coach Bonny Brown-Denico Collects 200th Career Win

     CAPE CORAL, Fla.  - Sophomore Katie Mainville (Coopers Mills, Maine) fanned 
seven and surrendered one hit to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to 
an 8-0 triumph over the New England College Pilgrims in Saturday's first game, and 
junior Ashley Woodcock (Jay, Maine) delivered three hits and two RBI to lift the 
Huskies to an 8-7 triumph over the Buffalo State Bengals in the second game.
     The two wins improved head coach Bonny Brown Denico's career mark to 201-134-
3 in nine years at the helm. The Huskies, who improved to 5-1 overall, will be 
idle tomorrow, before facing Lawrence University and the University of Wisconsin-
Whitewater on Monday. 
     The first game was shortened to five innings, after the Huskies scored two 
runs in the bottom of the final frame to invoke the eight-run rule. Southern Maine 
jumped to an early two-run lead, when freshman Christen Lachappelle (Farmingdale, 
Maine) led off the bottom of the second with an inside the park home run, and 
senior Jessie Becher (South Paris, Maine) added an RBI single. 
     The Huskies added three runs in the third to put the game out of reach. After 
seniors Renee Heath (Brunswick, Maine) and Darci Holland (Buckfield, Maine) led 
off the inning with consecutive singles, junior Kristen Tong (Swanzey, N.H.) added 
a single to score Heath. Holland came home on a fielder's choice, and Tong 
followed on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Natasha Jackson (Augusta, Maine).
     The Huskies added a single run in the fourth on a lead-off, inside the park 
homer by senior Ang Cote (Windham, Maine). 
     New England College junior Britney Hinckley (Suffield, Conn.) led off the top 
of the fifth with a single to account for the Pilgrims' lone hit. Mainville, who 
walked two batters, retired the next three to record the win.
     In the second game, the Huskies scored six runs in the bottom of the second 
to forge an 8-1 lead. Tong and Woodcock delivered two run singles, while Heath and 
Becher drove in a single run each.
     The Bengals responded with three in the third and three in the sixth to pull 
within 8-7, and had two on with two out in the top of the seventh. However, 
Southern Maine junior pitcher Melissa Henderson (Newburyport, Mass.) forced junior 
Nadine Sirianni (Niagra Falls, N.Y.) to fly out to Woodcock in left to end the 
game. 
     Henderson, who yielded eight hits, improved to 2-1, while junior Kristen 
Scheffold (Lancaster, N.Y.) fell to 1-1.

Game One                 123   45          R     H     E
New England College      000   00          0     1     5
Southern Maine (4-1)     023   12          8     12     1
Batteries: SM, Katie Mainville and Kristen Tong.
      NEC, Katie Harmon and Laura Mahoney. 
Winning Pitcher: Mainville (2-0). Losing Pitcher: Harmon 
2B: None     3B: None     HR: SM, Angela Cote (1), Christen Lachappelle (1)
RBI: SM, Jackson, Becher, Cote, Lachappelle. 
Repeat Hitters: SM, Heath, Holland, Lachappelle.

Game Two                 123   456   7     R     H     E
Buffalo State (4-4)      010   303   0     7     8     2
Southern Maine (5-1)     260   000   X     8     11     4
Batteries: SM, Melissa Henderson and Kristen Tong.
     B, Kristen Scheffold and Lindsey Matheis. 
Winning Pitcher: Henderson (2-1). Losing Pitcher: Scheffold (1-1). 
2B: B, Matheis     3B: None     HR: SM, Renee Heath (1)
RBI: SM, B, Laurie Hutten (2), Matheis (2), Goldyn
     SM, Ashley Woodcock (2), Heath (2), Tong (2), Jessie Becher, Holland. 
Repeat Hitters: B, Matheis (2), Goldyn (2), Brosius (2)
     SM, Woodcock (3), Heath (2), Becher (2).

##################################################################################

Friday, March 19, 2004

                           USM Huskies Sweep Two Games

     FT. MYERS, Fla.  --  The University of Southern Maine Huskies softball team 
improved its record to 3-1 Friday by defeating Trinity College 9-0 in five 
innings and SUNY-Oneonta 6-1 at the Lee County Complex in Ft. Myers, Fla.
     The two wins move USM’s ninth-year head coach Bonny Brown-Denico to within 
one triumph (199-134-3) of the 200-win plateau.  The Huskies will go for that 
milestone win Saturday when they take on New England College and Buffalo State 
College.
     In the first game of the day, the Huskies scored six times in the top of 
the fifth to invoke the eight-run rule.  The first run scored on an infield 
throwing error.  Senior Darci Holland (Buckfield, Maine) plated the second run 
on a sacrifice fielder’s choice.  Junior Kristen Tong (Swanzey, N.H.) drove in 
two runs with her second double of the game.  Junior Natasha Jackson (Augusta, 
Maine) plated Tong with a single, and later scored on a double steal.
     Junior right-hander Melissa Henderson (Newburyport, Mass.) picked up her 
first win going the 4.2 innings before giving way to freshman Lindsey Booker 
(Waterville, Maine) who got the final out.  Freshman Sara Dougherty was saddled 
with the loss for the Bantams.
     Tong was the only repeat hitter for the Huskies while freshman Stacy Hills 
had two singles for Trinity.
     In the nightcap, the Huskies built a 4-0 lead in the first four innings 
against the Red Dragons.  Holland scored the first run in a three-run second 
inning on an infield throwing error.  Tong, who reached first on the error, and 
Jackson scored on senior Jessie Becher’s (South Paris, Maine) two-run single.  
Tong chased home a run in the fourth inning with a groundout.
     The Red Dragons threw a scare into the Huskies in the fifth inning, scoring 
a run on a pair of errors on the same play.  A single and a hit batter followed 
to load the bases against USM junior starter Kari Vance (Lincoln, Maine).  
Sophomore Katie Mainville (Coopers Mills, Maine/Erskine Academy) came on for the 
Huskies to strike out the next two batters to put out the fire and earn a save.
     Southern Maine added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth on 
Tong’s sacrifice fly and a wild pitch.
     Becher had two hits and three RBI while Holland had a pair of singles.


Game One                  123   45     R   H   E
Southern Maine  (2-1)     200   16     9   8   2
Trinity  (5-3)            000   00     0   3   2
Batteries:  SM, Melissa Henderson, Lindsey Booker (5) and Kristen Tong.
     T, Sara Dougherty and Lindsey Freeman.
Winning Pitcher: Henderson (1-1)
Doubles:  SM, Tong 2          Triples:  none          Home Runs:  none
RBI:  SM, Holland 2, Tong 2, Lachappelle, Jackson          
Repeat Hitters:  SM, Tong 2     T, Hill

Game Two                  123   456   7     R   H   E
SUNY-Oneonta              000   010   0     1   2   2
Southern Maine  (3-1)     031   020   X     6   8   2
Batteries:  O, Amy Herba and Michelle Norwich.
     SM, Kari Vance, Katie Mainville (5) and Tong.
Winning Pitcher:  Vance (1-0,  4.1-1-1-0-3-2)     SV:  Mainville (1)
2B:  SM, Becher          Triples:  none          Home Runs:  none
RBI:  SM, Tong 2, Becher 2          
Repeat Hitters:  SM, Becher 3, Holland

##################################################################################

Thursday, March 18, 2004

                         USM Huskies Split On Opening Day

     FT. MYERS, Fla.  --  Sophomore right-hander Katie Mainville (Coopers Mills, 
Maine/Erskine Academy) tossed a two-hit shutout in the opening game of the 2004 
season as the University of Southern Maine Huskies blanked Framingham State 
College 5-0 at the Cape Coral Complex in Ft. Myers, Fla., Thursday.
     In the second game of the day, the Montclair State College Red Hawks edged 
the Huskies in extra innings 2-1.
     In the opener, Mainville did not walk a batter and only allowed harmless 
singles to junior Mary Matthews (Maynard, Mass.) in the first inning and to 
freshman Laura Walsh (Dracut, Mass.) in the third while striking out five for her 
second career two-hitter.
     The Huskies gave Mainville all the support she would need in the first inning 
as seniors Renee Heath (Brunswick, Maine) and Darci Holland (Buckfield, 
Maine/Dirigo HS) drove in runs with singles off of FSC freshman starter DeAnna 
Curtis (Lakeville, Mass.).
     USM added a single tally in the third inning on an RBI single by freshman 
Christen Lachappelle (Farmingdale, Maine/Hall-Dale HS), and two insurance runs in 
the sixth on an RBI single by senior Angela Cote (Windham, Maine/York HS) and a 
groundout by sophomore Kristi Steward (Norridgewock, Maine/Skowhegan HS).
     In the second game, USM junior right-hander Melissa Henderson (Newburyport, 
Mass.) and Montclair senior Crystal Sweeney (Edison, N.J.) hooked up in a 
scoreless pitchers duel through the first seven innings.
     With tiebreaker rules in effect, the Red Hawks scored in the eighth on a 
sacrifice fly by junior Kari McDonnell (Wrightstown, N.J.).  The Huskies tied the 
game in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI groundout by senior Emily Forbes 
(North Berwick, Maine/Noble HS).
     Montclair State got what proved to be the winning run in the ninth on a one-
out RBI single by junior Nicole Pacicco (Tinton Falls, N.J.).  USM was unable to 
get the equalizer as the Red Hawks ended the game with a fly out, throw-the-
runner-out-at-third-base, double play.
     Sweeney, who improved her record to 4-1, surrendered only three hits and one 
walk while fanning four.  Henderson, the tough-luck loser, allowed five hits and 
two walks while striking out six.
USM will play two more games Friday against Trinity College (4:00 p.m.) and SUNY 
Oneonta (6:00 p.m.).

Game One                  123   456   7     R   H   E
Framingham State          000   000   0     0   2   1
Southern Maine  (1-0)     201   002   x     5  10   1
Batteries:  FS, DeAnna Curtis (0-1) and Kristina Cochrane.
    SM, Katie Mainville (1-0) and Kristen Tong
Doubles:  SM, Cote          Triple:  none          Home Run:  none
RBI:  SM, Heath, Holland, Lachappelle, Cote, Steward.          
Repeat Hitters:  SM, Cote, Tong

Game Two                  123   456   789   R   H   E
Montclair State  (6-1)    000   000   011   2   5   1
Southern Maine  (1-1)     000   000   010   1   3   1
Batteries:  MS, Crystal Sweeney (4-1) and Megan Tantum.
    SM, Melissa Henderson (0-1) and Tong
Doubles:  none          Triple:  none          Home Run:  none
RBI:  MS, McDonnell, Pacicco   SM, Forbes          
Repeat Hitters:  none

##################################################################################

Tuesday, March 16, 2004

                          Softball Captains Named at USM
                  Huskies Open Season with 10-Game Florida Swing

     GORHAM, Maine  --  University of Southern Maine seniors Renee Heath 
(Brunswick, Maine), Darci Holland (Buckfield, Maine), Jessie Becher (South 
Paris, Maine) and Emily Forbes (North Berwick, Maine) have been named softball 
team captains for the 2004 season.  
     "I am excited about the leadership and direction our captains will provide 
to the team," commented ninth-year head coach Bonny Brown-Denico. "Over the past 
several years, our program has firmly established itself among the top teams in 
our conference and region. This senior quartet has played a vital role in our 
past success and will be equally instrumental this year as we look to build upon 
our accomplishments."
     Over the past seven years, the Huskies have won 25 or more games on six 
occasions and  appeared in two NCAA Tournaments and four ECAC Championships. A 
year ago the club compiled an overall mark of 26-14, a league ledger of 9-5 and 
advanced to the double-elimination round of the ECAC Tournament.
     Heath, who is entering her third year as a team captain, earned first team 
All-Little East honors a year ago after registering team-leading totals of 50 
hits, including 13 doubles, 28 RBI and a .379 batting average. A prolific 
offensive threat, she ranks among the University’s all-time leaders in a number 
of batting categories and enters her final year with 141 hits, 61 runs scored, 
59 RBI and a .393 batting average. She is equally effective in the field, where 
as a three-year starter at third, she has virtually eliminated the opposition’s 
bunting game.
     Holland, who also gained first team All-League recognition a year ago, has 
quietly emerged as one of the conference's top all-around outfielders. Her 
combination of speed and a strong arm has enabled her to outrun would-be extra 
base hits or limit the opposition to singles. Offensively, she registered a .288 
batting average with 19 RBI, 20 runs scored and was a perfect five-for-five in 
stolen base opportunities. 
     An All-Little East and All-ECAC selection following her sophomore year in 
2001, Becher is making a welcomed return to the program after sitting out the 
2003 campaign. A former member of the Huskies' starting pitching rotation, she 
is expected to be a regular at first base this year. Her stellar defensive 
skills should enable her to stabilize the right-side of the team's infield. At 
the plate, she is a strong situational hitter, who can also hit for average.  
     Entering her third year as the team's starting second baseman, Forbes will 
again provide the club with strength up the middle. She offers great range and 
soft hands in the field, while she is a timely hitter and solid bunter at the 
plate.  
     This senior group will help lead a 19-member roster composed of 13 
returning veterans and six first-year players. The Huskies will commence their 
40-game regular-season schedule with a 10-game swing through Florida beginning 
this Thursday, March 18.
        The Huskies’ complete 2004 schedule is as follows:  March 18, Framingham 
State and Montclair State (Cape Coral, Fla.);  March 19, Trinity and SUNY-
Oneonta (Lee County, Fla.);  March 20, New England College and Buffalo State (at 
Cape Coral, Fla.);  March 22, Lawrence and Wisconsin-White Water (Lee County, 
Fla.)  March 23, Albright and Union (Lee County, Fla.).
        Southern Maine will close out the month of March by commencing its 
Little East schedule with a double-header at defending regular-season champion 
Western Connecticut on March 27.
     The Huskies will continue their schedule on April 1, at Babson (DH); April 
3, Rhode Island College (DH); April 4, Colby (DH); April 6, Bridgewater State 
(DH); April 8, St. Joseph's of Maine (DH); April 10, at UMass Dartmouth (DH); 
April 12, at Endicott (DH); April 13 UMass Boston (DH); April 15, Salem State 
(DH); April 17, Eastern Connecticut (DH); April 20 Plymouth State (DH); April 
22, at Bowdoin (DH); April 24, at Keene State (DH); April 26, at Bates (DH).
     The top six teams in the final regular-season conference standings will 
advance to the double-elimination conference tournament, from April 29 – May 1, 
at the site of the regular-season champion. 

##################################################################################