################################################################################
SEASON CONCLUDED
################################################################################
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Southern Maine's Lowe Named to LEC Second Team
GORHAM, Maine -- Sophomore outfielder India Lowe (Gloucester, Mass.) of
the University of Southern Maine Huskies softball team has been selected to the
2008 Little East Conference (LEC) All-Conference Second Team. The announcement
was made Wednesday by LEC commissioner, Jonathan Harper, following a vote of LEC
coaches.
Patrolling the outfield for Southern Maine, Lowe was third on the team in
batting average. Playing in 32 of the Huskies' 37 games, Lowe made 29 starts and
hit at a .353 clip, connecting for 30 hits in 85 at bats with one double. She
collected eight RBI, had a team-leading 14 stolen bases in 16 attempts, and had
a team-high 12 sacrifices. Her 14 stolen bases is tied for eighth on the USM
single-season records list, while her 12 sacrifices tied for seventh.
In two seasons at USM, Lowe has a .283 batting average with 42 hits in 148
at bats in 70 games played. She has scored 36 runs and knocked in 14 runs.
Southern Maine finished its 2008 season with an overall record of 16-21 and
a 5-9 mark in the Little East. The Huskies earned the fifth seed in the Little
East Conference tournament.
2008 Little East Conference Softball All-Conference Team
First Team
Name Position Class Institution
Krystle Denny Catcher Senior Eastern Connecticut
Christie Lotti First Base Senior Rhode Island College
Amanda Perry Second Base Freshman Rhode Island College
Katie Allenson Third Base Senior Keene State College
Kim Church Shortstop Sophomore Eastern Connecticut
Amy Hartman Outfield Freshman Western Connecticut
Kate Livingston Outfield Senior Eastern Connecticut
Ashley Sullivan Outfield Sophomore Eastern Connecticut
Courtney Haroules Designated Player Junior UMass Boston
Jenna Patnode Utility Junior Keene State College
Ashlee Nicholson Pitcher Senior Keene State College
Shelby Slie Pitcher Senior Western Connecticut
Second Team
Name Position Class Institution
Melissa Scata Catcher Senior Keene State College
Rachel Denny First Base Junior Eastern Connecticut
Kristen Lugovich Second Base Senior Western Connecticut
Krystal Bilek Third Base Senior Rhode Island College
Stacey DiMaggio Third Base Senior Western Connecticut
Loren Angiollilo Shortstop Junior Western Connecticut
Kelsey Souza Shortstop Sophomore Rhode Island College
Allie D'Amato Outfield Junior Keene State College
India Lowe Outfield Sophomore Southern Maine
Michelle Perrin Outfield Sophomore Rhode Island College
Andrea Pydynkowski Outfield Freshman Plymouth State University
Kate Kelly Designated Player Freshman UMass Dartmouth
Kayla Jandreau Utility Freshman Rhode Island College
Melanie Neecec Pitcher Freshman Rhode Island College
Kat Roland Pitcher Sophomore Plymouth State University
Player of the Year
Christie Lotti, Senior, First Base, Rhode Island College
Pitcher of the Year
Shelby Slie, Senior, Western Connecticut State University
Rookie of the Year
Amanda Perry, Freshman, Second Base, Rhode Island College
Coach of the Year
Diana Pepin, Eastern Connecticut State University
################################################################################
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Southern Maine Eliminated From LEC Tournament
WILLIMANTIC, Conn. -- The University of Southern Maine dropped a pair of
games Thursday and was eliminated from the 2008 Little East Conference Softball
Championship Tournament being played at Howard Spector Field on the campus of
Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, Conn. The Huskies, seeded
fifth in the tournament, fell to second-seeded Rhode Island College 6-3 in their
first game and later dropped an 8-6 decision to the sixth-seeded Plymouth State
University Panthers in the elimination game.
With the pair of losses, Southern Maine concludes its 2008 season with a
16-21 record. Rhode Island College improved to 30-7 with the win, while
Plymouth State staved off elimination and improved to 25-13.
In the first game, Southern Maine took an early 1-0 lead in the first
inning on an RBI single from freshman Stacey Stuart (Belgrade, Maine/Messalon-
skee). However, the Anchorwomen responded with two runs in the bottom of the
second and three more runs in the third to take a 5-1 lead. Rhode Island
College senior Jeanne Rosa (Milford, Conn./Jonathan Law) and sophomore Kelsey
Souza (Braintree, Mass./Braintree) each singled in runs for the Anchorwomen in
the second inning. In the third inning, Rosa added two more RBI with a single,
while junior Kelli McCartin (Cranston, R.I./Cranston West) drove in a run with a
single.
The Huskies took two runs back in the top of the fourth taking advantage of
two RIC errors and an RBI single from sophomore Tiffany Jordan (Bryant Pond,
Maine/Telstar Regional) to trail 5-3. RIC responded in the bottom of the inning
when freshman Donielle Mattoon (Coventry, R.I.) stroked a two-out single to give
her team a 6-3 lead.
USM threatened in the sixth and seventh innings with runners in scoring
position, but Rhode Island College was able to escape unscathed to earn the win.
Rhode Island freshman pitcher Melanie Neece (Westfield, Mass./Westfield)
earned the win giving up three runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks in
five innings. Neece, who struck out five, improve to 16-3 on the season.
Sophomore Jenna Deveines (Lowville, N.Y./Beaver River Central) earned the save
pitching two innings while not allowing a run on three hits. USM senior pitcher
Kristina Grondin (Sanford, Maine) took the loss allowing six runs on 12 hits.
In the elimination game, Plymouth State overcame a 5-1 deficit to knock the
Huskies out of the tournament. The Panthers connected on 15 hits and took
advantage of five USM errors to score five unearned runs off Grondin. Sophomore
Kay LaBrie (Somersworth, N.H.) led the Panther attack with four hits, including
a pair of doubles, and two runs score, while junior Leanne Barry (Auburn, N.H.)
added three hits and two runs scored.
Senior Danielle Normand (Rumford, R.I./East Providence), sophomore Sammi
Romano (Kingston, N.H./Sanborn) and freshman Laura Kaplan (Franklin, N.H.) each
had an RBI for the Panthers.
Sophomore pitcher Kat Roland (Norton, Mass./Fontbonne Academy) earned the
win in relief for the Panthers. Roland, who entered the game in the second
inning replacing junior Courtney MacFarland (Hampstead, N.H.), yielded one
unearned run in 5.1 innings pitched on four hits with three strikeouts.
MacFarland left the game trailing 5-1 allowing five runs on six hits and a walk
in 1.2 innings pitched. Grondin allowed three earned runs on 15 hits and two
walks while striking out five.
At Willimantic, Conn.
Game 1 R H E
Southern Maine (16-20) 100 200 0 3 6 1
Rhode Island College (30-7) 023 100 x 6 12 3
Batteries: SM, Kristina Grondin and Sabrina Sevigny.
RIC, Melanie Neece, Jenna Deveines (6) and Jeanne Rosa.
Winning Pitcher: Neece (16-3) Losing Pitcher: Grondin (11-5)
Save: Deveines (1)
2B: RIC, Mattoon
3B: None
HR: None
RBI: SM, Stuart, Jordan. RIC, Rosa 3, Mattoon, McCartin, Souza.
Repeat Hitters: SM, Stuart. RIC, Bilek, Perry, Mattoon, Rosa.
Game 2 R H E
Plymouth State (25-13) 013 211 0 8 15 1
Southern Maine (16-21) 050 001 0 6 10 5
Batteries: PSU, Courtney MacFarland, Kat Roland (2) and Laura Kaplan.
SM, Kristina Grondin and Sabrina Sevigny.
Winning Pitcher: Roland (12-5) Losing Pitcher: Grondin (11-6)
2B: PSU, LaBrie, Barry, Normand, Caiazzo, Romano, Kaplan.
SM, Dixon, Gilman, Sevigny.
3B: None
HR: None
RBI: PSU, Normand, Romano, Kaplan. SM, Mills, Lowe, Ford, Dixon.
Repeat Hitters: PSU, LaBrie 4, Barry 3, Normand, Caiazzo, Nedeau.
SM, Dixon, Sevigny, Ford, Stuart
################################################################################
Monday, April 28, 2008
Southern Maine-Bates DH Cancelled
GORHAM, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine Athletics Department
announced today that the softball doubleheader scheduled for today between USM
and Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, has been cancelled. It will not be
rescheduled.
Southern Maine, 16-19 overall and 5-9 in the Little East Conference, is the
fifth seed for the upcoming LEC tournament that begins Thursday at Eastern
Connecticut State University in Willimantic, Conn. USM will play second seeded
Rhode Island College (29-7; 12-2) in the second game of the day starting at 3:00
p.m.
################################################################################
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Keene State Sweeps Southern Maine 3-2 and 7-4
KEENE, N.H. -- Senior Melissa Scata (Medway, Mass./Medway) went 4-for-6
at the plate with four RBI to lead the Keene State College Owls to 3-2 and 7-4
victories over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in a Little East
Conference softball doubleheader at the Owl Athletic Complex in Keene, N.H.
Saturday afternoon.
With the pair of wins, Keene State improves to 22-10 overall and 8-6 in the
Little East. Dropping its third straight game, Southern Maine dips to 16-19
overall and 5-9 in the conference.
In the first game, Keene State senior Jessica Starkey (Keene, N.H./Keene)
drove in the deciding run in the bottom of the sixth inning with a single
through the right side of the infield.
The game was tied at 2-2 after the first inning and remained in a deadlock
over the next four innings as both teams' received solid pitching efforts.
Keene State senior Ashlee Nicholson (Swanzey, N.H./Monadnock Regional) earned
the win for the Owls giving up two earned runs on 11 hits. Nicholson did not
give up a walk while striking out two batters to improve to 12-4. USM senior
Kristina Grondin (Sanford, Maine) took the loss allowing three runs (two earned)
on eight hits and four walks.
USM received a pair of hits from juniors Sabrina Mills (Westford,
Mass./Westford Academy), Sabrina Sevigny (Sanford, Maine) and Anita Dixon
(Limington, Maine/Bonny Eagle) and sophomore Tiffany Jordan (Bryant Pond,
Maine/Telstar Regional). Sevigny and Dixon both drove in a run for the Huskies
in the first inning.
In the second game, Keene State jumped out to a 5-0 lead after three
innings and never looked back en route to the 7-4 win. Scata started the Owls
in the first inning with a two-run single to center field. The Owls added to
their lead in the second inning taking advantage of two USM errors to plate a
pair of unearned runs on one hit and two walks, and led 5-0 after three innings
scoring another unearned run on an error and a wild pitch.
Southern Maine broke up the shutout scoring a run in the fourth inning on a
sacrifice fly from Jordan which brought home Grondin who led off the inning with
a single.
The Huskies cut the Owls' lead to three, 5-2, in the fifth inning on an RBI
ground out from freshman Stacey Stuart (Belgrade, Maine/Messalonskee). The Owls
answered back in the bottom half of the inning with two more runs, including an
RBI single from Scata and a RBI double from junior Katie Allenson (Clifton Park,
N.Y./Shenendahoa) to lead 7-2.
Junior Meghan Ford (Mechanic Falls, Maine/Poland Regional) and Mills each
drove in runs for the Huskies in the sixth inning, but it was the final runs the
Huskies would score in the game.
Keene State freshman pitcher Jessie Williams (Jaffrey, N.H./Conant) earned
the win giving up four runs ( three earned) in five innings. Williams gave up
nine hits and four walks to improve to
7-6. USM freshman pitcher Sarah Deroche (Portland, Maine/Deering) took the loss
allowing four runs (one earned) on two hits and six walks.
Southern Maine travels to Bates College on Monday (3:30 p.m.) for a non-
conference doubleheader before heading to the Little East Conference tournament.
Keene State will be in action next at the Little East Conference tournament
beginning Thursday.
At Keene, N.H.
Game 1 R H E
Southern Maine (16-18, 5-8 LEC) 200 000 0 2 11 2
Keene State (21-10, 7-6 LEC) 200 001 x 3 8 0
Batteries: SM, Kristina Grondin and Sabrina Sevigny.
KSC, Ashlee Nicholson and Melissa Scata.
Winning Pitcher: Nicholson (12-4) Losing Pitcher: Grondin (11-4)
2B: SM, Mills.
3B: None
HR: None
RBI: SM, Dixon, Sevigny. KSC, Starkey, Ferguson, Conklin.
Repeat Hitters: SM, Mills, Dixon, Sevigny, Jordan. KSC, Patnode.
Game 2 R H E
Southern Maine (16-19, 5-9 LEC) 000 112 0 4 11 4
Keene State (22-10, 8-6 LEC) 221 020 x 7 9 2
Batteries: SM, Sarah Deroche, Kristina Grondin (2) and Sabrina Sevigny.
KSC, Jessie Williams and Stephanie Lavado.
Winning Pitcher: KSC, Williams (7-6) Losing Pitcher: Deroche (3-3)
2B: SM, Lowe. KSC, Allenson.
3B: KSC, Jenna Patnode
HR: None
RBI: SM, Mills, Stuart, Jordan, Ford. KSC, Scata 3, Allenson, Conklin.
Repeat Hitters: SM, Grondin, Sevigny. KSC, Scata 3, Annis
################################################################################
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Southern Maine and Bridgewater Split DH
GORHAM, Maine -- Junior Sabrina Mills (Westford, Mass./Westford Academy)
singled home the game-winning run in the 10th inning as the University of
Southern Maine earned a 7-6 win over the Bridgewater State College Bears in the
first game of a non-conference softball doubleheader Thursday at Towers Field in
Gorham.
Bridgewater State edged Southern Maine 3-2 in the nightcap in a five-inning
game that was called due to darkness. With the split Southern Maine moves to
16-17 overall. The opening game loss halted a nine-game winning streak for
Bridgewater State which is now 21-15.
Mills singled up the middle to score sophomore Tiffany Jordan (Bryant Pond,
Maine/Telstar Regional). Jordan reached base safely on a fielder's choice and
then stole second to put herself in scoring position.
Trailing 4-1 after five innings, Bridgewater State rallied to take the lead
5-4 in the top of the sixth, scoring four runs on three hits, a pair of walks
and a USM error. All four of the Bears' runs in the innings came after two
outs. Freshman Tracey Sanko (Windsor, Conn.) drove in the Bears' first run with
an RBI single, while junior Allie LeBlanc (Somerset, Mass.) brought the Bears
within a run of the Huskies drawing a bases loaded walk. Sophomore Meghan Noyes
(Stoughton, Mass.) capped the Bears' rally driving in two runs with a single
into center field and a 5-4 lead.
The Huskies rallied for a run in the bottom of the inning to knot the score
up at 5-5. Freshman Stacey Stuart (Belgrade, Maine/Messalonskee) doubled in a
run off of the left field fence, scoring freshman Sarah Cusack (Wells, Maine).
The score remained tied through regulation, forcing extra innings.
Bridgewater State struck first plating a run in the top of the ninth on a one-
out RBI double from Noyes. Noyes' second hit of the game scored junior Rachael
Sprague (Duxbury, Mass.), who was placed on second to start the inning as part
of the NCAA tie breaker rule.
However, USM countered with a double of its own in the bottom the inning,
when Stuart connected on her second double of the game to drive in Mills.
Mills, who started the inning on second base, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt
from sophomore India Lowe (Gloucester, Mass.).
USM senior pitcher Kristina Grondin (Sanford, Maine), who entered the game
in relief in the sixth inning, was able to get out of the 10th unharmed. Grondin
got two of her six strikeouts to close out the inning and strand a Bears' runner
at third. Grondin pitched four innings of solid relief for the Huskies to pick
up the win. Bridgewater State junior Alyssa Verronneau (Acushnet, Mass./New
Bedford) took the loss for the Bears in 4.2 innings pitched. Verronneau gave up
three runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks.
In the second game, Noyes and senior Lindsey Allison (South Easton,
Mass./Oliver Ames) each had RBI singles and freshman Kate Youngstrom (Holden,
Mass./Wachusett Regional) added a run-scoring ground out to lead the Bears to a
3-2 win.
Trailing 1-0 after the first inning, Allison and Youngstrom put their team
ahead in the top of the second inning. Allison's singled to right field to
plate the Bears' first run of the game, while Youngstrom's bases-loaded ground
out provided her team with the go-ahead run.
Noyes' RBI single in the top of the fifth proved to be the game-winner for
the Bears as the Huskies battled back for a run in the bottom of the fifth on an
RBI single from Grondin. Noyes' finished the doubleheader with three hits and
four runs batted in.
Verronneau picked up the win for the Bears in the second game scattering
nine hits over five innings while allowing two earned runs and striking out
five. Grondin gave up three earned runs on four hits and two walks in the loss.
Southern Maine returns to action on Saturday (12:00 p.m.) at Keene State
College for a Little East Conference doubleheader. Bridgewater State hosts the
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on Saturday (12:00 p.m.) in a MASCAC
doubleheader.
At Gorham, Maine
Game One R H E
Bridgewater State (20-15) 010 004 001 0 6 8 3
Southern Maine (16-16) 000 131 001 1 7 10 5
Batteries: BSC, Jamie Ducinski, Jillian Vancelette (5), Alyssa Verronneau (6)
and Lindsey Allison. SM, Sarah Deroche, Larissa O'Connor (6), Kristina
Grondin (6) and Sabrina Sevigny.
Winning Pitcher: Grondin (11-3) Losing Pitcher: Verronneau (11-5)
2B: BSC, Noyes. SM, Stuart 2.
3B: None
HR: None
RBI: BSC, Noyes 3, Sanko, LeBlanc, Youngstrom.
SM, Stuart 2, Mills, Sevigny, Deroche, Jordan.
Repeat Hitters: BSC, Noyes, Allison. SM, Stuart 3, Deroche.
Game Two R H E
Bridgewater State (21-15) 020 01 3 4 0
Southern Maine (16-17) 100 01 2 9 1
Batteries: BSC, Alyssa Verronneau and Lindsey Allison. SM, Kristina Grondin
and Sabrina Sevigny.
Winning Pitcher: Verronneau (13-5) Losing Pitcher: Grondin (11-4)
2B: None
3B: None
HR: None
RBI: BSC, Noyes, Hebert, Allison. SM, Grondin 2.
Repeat Hitters: SM, Lowe, Grondin, Stuart.
################################################################################
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Grondin Leads Southern Maine Past St. Joseph's 9-3
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior pitcher Kristina Grondin (Sanford, Maine) struck
out a career-high 13 batters to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to
a 9-3 win over the St. Joseph's College Monks Wednesday in non-conference
softball action at Towers Field in Gorham.
Earning its second consecutive victory, Southern Maine improves to 15-16
overall. St. Joseph's falls to 24-13 with the loss.
Grondin, who also had a 3-for-4 effort at the plate with one RBI and three
runs scored, earned her 10th win of the season to improve to 10-3. The 5-foot-8
right-hander scattered six hits over seven innings and allow two earned runs.
She did not give up a walk.
The Huskies helped Grondin to the win scoring seven runs in the first two
innings. The Huskies scored twice in the bottom of the first on four hits,
including RBI singles from junior Sabrina Sevigny (Sanford, Maine) and freshman
Stacey Stuart (Belgrade, Maine/Messalonskee).
USM led 7-0 after two innings, plating five runs on four hits and one Monk
error. Sevigny and Stuart again provided the Huskies with their offensive fire
power. Sevigny laced a two-out double down the left field line to score two
runs, while Stuart drove in a pair of runs on a single. Stuart finished the
game with four RBI on a 3-for-4 effort, while Sevigny added three RBI and a run
scored on a 2-for-3 day at the plate.
St. Joseph's pulled to within four scoring three runs in the top of the
sixth on three hits and pair of USM errors. Sophomore Liddy van der Linden
(Worcester, Mass./St. Peter Marian) and freshman Alyssa Dunn (Standish,
Maine/Bonny Eagle) each had RBI singles in the inning.
However, the Huskies answered back in the bottom of the inning with two
runs on an RBI double from Grondin to right-center field and a single from
Stuart.
Sophomore pitcher Christy Wezowicz (Granville, Mass./Southwick Tolland)
took the loss for the Monks giving up seven runs, three earned, on 12 hits in
five innings pitched.
Southern Maine returns to action on Thursday (3:30 p.m.) when it hosts
Bridgewater State College in a non-conference doubleheader. St. Joseph's begins
play in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference tournament against Rivier
College on Friday (4:00 p.m.) at Lasell College.
At Gorham, Maine R H E
St. Joseph's (24-13) 000 003 0 3 6 4
Southern Maine (15-16) 250 002 x 9 14 5
Batteries: SJC, Christy Wezowicz, Alysn Ludwig (6) and Natasha Howard.
SM, Kristin Grondin and Sabrina Sevigny.
Wining Pitcher: Grondin (10-3) Losing Pitcher: Wezowicz (10-8)
2B: SM, Grondin, Sevigny, Gilman.
3B: None
HR: None
RBI: SJC, van der Linden, Dunn. SM, Stuart 4, Sevigny 3, Grondin, Lowe.
Repeat Hitters: SJC, Willis.
SM, Grondin 3, Stuart 3, Sevigny, Gilman, Richard.
################################################################################
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Stuart Home Run Propels USM to LEC Split with Plymouth State
GORHAM, Maine -- Freshman Stacey Stuart (Belgrade, Maine/Messalonskee)
blasted a two-run, walk-off home run to give the University of Southern Maine
Huskies to a 3-1, extra-inning win over the Plymouth State University Panthers
in the second game of their Little East Conference doubleheader Tuesday at
Towers Field in Gorham. The Huskies fell to the Panthers 6-5 in the opener.
With the split, Southern Maine moves to 14-16 overall and 5-7 in the Little
East. Plymouth State stands at 20-11 overall and 3-8 in the conference.
Tied at 1-1 after seven innings, Stuart smashed her one-out, walk-off home
run high and deep over the left field fence to earn the win. Southern Maine
junior Anita Dixon (Limington, Maine/Bonny Eagle) came around to score on the
play after leading off the inning with a single through the left side for her
third hit of the game.
Riding solid pitching efforts, both teams were held scoreless until the
sixth inning. Plymouth State grabbed a 1-0 lead on a two-out double from
freshman Kortney Nedeau (Kennebunk, Maine). Nedeau drove in junior Leanne Barry
(Auburn, N.H./Pinkerton Academy) who reached safely on a single down the left
field line.
Southern Maine rallied for a run in the bottom of the inning when junior
Sabrina Sevigny (Sanford, Maine) cracked an RBI double to left-center field to
score Dixon, who led off the inning with a single to center.
Southern Maine senior pitcher Kristina Grondin (Sanford, Maine) earned the
win for the Huskies scattering four hits over eight innings. She allowed one
earned run and struck out eight batters to improve to 9-3 on the season.
Plymouth State junior pitcher Courtney MacFarland (Hampstead, N.H./Pinkerton)
took the loss giving up 11 hits in 7.1 innings of work.
In the first game, Plymouth State withstood a four-run USM rally in the
bottom of the seventh to hold onto a 6-5 win.
The Panthers led 6-1 through six and a half innings, taking advantage of
three USM errors while pounding out 10 hits. Sophomore Kay LaBrie (Somersworth,
N.H.), senior Danielle Normand (Rumford, R.I./East Providence) and freshman
Laura Kaplan (Franklin, N.H.) had two hits apiece, while freshman Melissa
Caiazzo (Portland, Maine/Deering) drove in two runs for the Panthers.
In the bottom of the seventh, USM connected on three hits and took
advantage of two Plymouth State errors to plate four runs. Sevigny drove in
three of the four runs drilling her sixth home run of the season over the left
field fence. With her second home run in three games, Sevigny tied for the USM
single season record in home runs.
Panther sophomore pitcher Kat Roland (Norton, Mass./Fontbonne Academy)
picked up her ninth win of the season to improve to 9-4. Roland allowed five
earned runs on 11 hits without a walk while striking out three as the Huskies
stranded nine base runners in the game. USM sophomore Sarah Deroche (Portland,
Maine/Deering), who gave up just two earned runs on eight hits and five walks
while striking out five in six innings of work, took the loss.
Southern Maine returns to action Wednesday (4:00 p.m.) for a single game
against in-state rival St. Joseph's College at home. Plymouth State hosts
Middlebury College in a non-conference doubleheader Wednesday (3:30 p.m.).
At Gorham, Maine
Game 1 R H E
Plymouth State (20-11, 3-8 LEC) 201 102 0 6 10 3
Southern Maine (13-16, 4-7 LEC) 010 000 4 5 11 3
Batteries: PS, Kat Roland and Laura Kaplan.
SM, Sarah Deroche, Larissa O'Connor (7) and Sabrina Sevigny.
Winning Pitcher: Roland (9-4) Losing Pitcher: Deroche, (3-2)
2B: PS, Pydynkowski. SM, Gilman 2, Stuart.
3B: None
HR: SM, Sevigny (6)
RBI: PS, Caiazzo 2, Normand, LaBrie. SM, Sevigny 3, Stuart.
Repeat Hitters: PS, LaBrie, Normand, Kaplan.
SM, Mills, Dixon, Deroche, Stuart, Gilman.
Game 2 R H E
Plymouth State (20-12, 3-9 LEC) 000 001 00 1 4 0
Southern Maine (14-16, 5-7 LEC) 000 001 02 3 11 0
Batteries: PSU, Courtney MacFarland and Laura Kaplan.
SM, Kristina Grondin and Sabrina Sevigny.
Winning Pitcher: Grondin (9-3) Losing Pitcher: MacFarland (7-6)
2B: PSU, Nedeau, Romano. SM, Sevigny.
3B: None
HR: SM, Stuart (2)
RBI: PS, Nedeau. SM, Stuart 2, Sevigny.
Repeat Hitters: PS, Barry. SM, Dixon 3, Sevigny, Jordan, Lowe.
################################################################################
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Southern Maine Earns LEC Split with Western Connecticut
DANBURY, Conn. -- Junior Sabrina Sevigny (Sanford, Maine) blasted a
three-run home run deep over the left field fence to lead the University of
Southern Maine Huskies to a 3-1 win over the Western Connecticut State
University Colonials in the second game of a Little East Conference softball
doubleheader Sunday afternoon at Westside Field in Danbury, Conn. The Colonials
defeated the Huskies 9-0 in six innings in the first game.
In earning the split, Southern Maine halted a three-game losing streak and
improved to 13-15 overall and 4-6 in the Little East. Western Connecticut is
now 23-9 and 8-2 in the conference.
Sevigny provided the Huskies with all of the offense they would need when
she connected on her team-leading fifth home run of the season and second in
three games. With five home runs on the season, Sevigny is one shy of the USM
single-season record. Sevigny finished the game 2-for-3 at the plate, drilling
a double down the left field line in the sixth inning.
Southern Maine senior pitcher Kristina Grondin (Sanford, Maine) held the
Colonial bats in check to earn her eighth win (8-3) of the season. Grondin
allowed one unearned run on six hits while striking out eight and walking just
one. Western Connecticut senior pitcher Shelby Slie (Seymour, Conn.), who
allowed two earned runs, took the loss giving up five hits while striking out
eight.
In the opener, Slie stymied the Southern Maine bats allowing just one hit
while fanning 11 to lead the Colonials to a 9-0 six-inning win. The Colonials
also took advantage of five USM errors which hampered USM freshman pitcher Sarah
Deroche (Portland, Maine/Deering). Deroche took her first loss of the season
(3-1) giving up two earned runs on nine hits and four walks in 5.2 innings
pitched.
Western Connecticut senior 3B Stacey DiMaggio (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.)
belted out a grand slam home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to close out
the game and invoke the eight-run rule. DiMaggio finished the doubleheader 5-
for-7 at the plate with four RBI and two runs scored.
Southern Maine hosts Plymouth State University on Tuesday (3:30 p.m.) in a
Little East Conference doubleheader. Western Connecticut travels to conference
leader Rhode Island College on Tuesday (3:30 p.m.) for a twinbill.
At Danbury, Conn.
Game 1 R H E
Southern Maine (12-15, 3-6) 000 000 0 1 5
Western Connecticut (23-8, 8-1) 002 214 9 9 1
Batteries: SM, Sarah Deroche and Sabrina Sevigny.
WC, Shelby Slie and Brittany Finkelday.
Winning Pitcher: Slie (13-5) Losing Pitcher: Deroche (3-1)
2B: WC, Mammone
3B: None
HR: WC, DiMaggio (5)
RBI: WC, DiMaggio 4, Romyns, Lugovich, Andruskiwec.
Repeat Hitters: WC, DiMaggio 3, Finkelday.
Game 2 R H E
Southern Maine (13-15, 4-6) 000 300 0 3 5 1
Western Connecticut (23-9, 8-2) 000 001 0 1 6 2
Batteries: SM, Kristina Grondin and Sabrina Sevigny.
WC, Shelby Slie and Brittany Finkelday.
Winning Pitcher: Grondin (8-3) Losing Pitcher: Slie (13-6)
2B: SM, Grondin, Sevigny. WC, DiMaggio.
3B: None
HR: SM, Sevigny (5)
RBI: SM, Sevigny 3.
Repeat Hitters: SM, Sevigny, Stuart. WC, DiMaggio.
################################################################################
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Eastern Connecticut Powers Past Southern Maine in Doubleheader Sweep
GORHAM, Maine -- Junior Rachel Denny (East Haddam, Conn./Nathan Hale-Ray)
launched a pair of home runs, including a grand slam in the first game, and
drove in six runs to lead Eastern Connecticut State University to a doubleheader
sweep of the University of Southern Maine in Little East Conference softball
action Saturday afternoon at Towers Field in Gorham.
The Warriors defeated the Huskies 6-1 in the opener, then held on for an 11-
8 win in the second game. The Warriors improve to 18-8 overall and 7-1 in the
Little East. The Huskies drop to 12-14 overall and 3-5 in the LEC.
In the opening game, Denny came to the plate in the fourth inning with the
bases loaded and her team clinging to a 2-0 lead. She hit a blast over the left
field to drive in four runs and notch her ninth home run of the season. The
Warriors had loaded the bases on a USM fielding error and singles from senior
Casey Mahoney (Willimantic, Conn.) and sophomore Ashley Sullivan (Trumbull,
Conn.).
Eastern Connecticut held a 6-0 lead until the bottom of the seventh before
USM junior Sabrina Sevigny (Sanford, Maine) broke up the shutout connecting for
her fourth home run of the season.
Eastern Connecticut junior pitcher Katie Pensiero (Stamford, Conn.) pitched
five solid innings for the Warriors to earn the win and improve to 9-2.
Pensiero held USM scoreless, allowing three hits and one walk. Freshman pitcher
Caitlin Cravens (Ellsworth, Maine) closed out the game giving up two hits and
one run in two innings of work. Southern Maine senior Kristina Grondin
(Sanford, Maine) took the loss, giving up five earned runs in seven innings on
five hits and four walks.
In the second game, senior Krystle Denny (West Haven, Conn.) blasted a
three-run home run in the top of the seventh to fend off a USM rally as Eastern
Conn. held on for the 11-8 win.
Holding a slim, 8-7 lead heading into the seventh inning, Krystle Denny
connected on her sixth home run of the season with two outs to give the Warriors
some much needed insurance runs. Krystle Denny's round-tripper in the seventh
scored sophomore Katie O'Toole (Waterbury, Conn./Sacred Heart), who connected on
pinch-hit single, and Rachel Denny, who reached base on a walk.
Trailing 6-2 following a two-run home run from Rachel Denny in the second
inning, Southern Maine rallied to trail the Eastern Conn. by a run after five
innings. USM scored twice in the fourth and three times in the fifth to get
back into the game.
USM freshman Heather Gilman (Fairfield, Maine/Lawrence) had an RBI single,
while junior Sabrina Mills (Westford, Mass./Westford Academy) drove in a run on
a ground out in the fourth inning.
In the fifth, the Huskies used an RBI double from Sevigny, a wild pitch and
a run-scoring ground out from freshman Stacey Stuart (Belgrade,
Maine/Messalonskee) to pull within a run of the Warriors, before Krystle Denny
put the game out of reach.
USM got a run back in the bottom of the seventh on a two-out RBI double from
Gilman, but Krystle Denny made a solid play at the plate holding onto a relay
throw from sophomore Kim Church (Farmington, Conn.) to record the final out on
a play at the plate.
Cravens, who entered the game in relief of starting pitcher junior Lisa Cody
(Webster, Mass./Bartlett) in the fourth, earned the win yielding three earned
runs on six hits in four innings. USM sophomore Larissa O'Connor (Farmington,
Maine/Mt. Blue) took the loss allowing six earned runs on 12 hits in three
innings.
Southern Maine travels to Danbury, Conn., on Sunday (12:00 p.m.) to play
Western Connecticut State University in a makeup LEC doubleheader. Eastern
Connecticut is at Keene State College on Sunday (1:00 p.m.) for another LEC
makeup doubleheader.
At Gorham, Maine
Game 1 R H E
Eastern Connecticut (17-8, 6-1 LEC) 000 240 0 6 5 0
Southern Maine (12-13, 3-4 LEC) 000 000 1 1 5 2
Batteries: EC, Katie Pensiero, Caitlin Cravens (6) and Krystle Denny.
SM, Kristina Grondin and Sabrina Sevigny.
Winning Pitcher: Pensiero (9-2) Losing Pitcher: Grondin (7-3)
2B: EC, K. Denny, Livingston SM, Grondin
3B: None
HR: EC, R. Denny (9) SM, Sevigny (4)
RBI: EC, R. Denny 4, Livingston, Caswell. SM, Sevigny.
Repeat Hitters: SM, Grondin, Gilman.
Game 2 R H E
Eastern Connecticut (18-8, 7-1 LEC) 420 110 3 11 15 2
Southern Maine (12-14, 3-5 LEC) 200 230 1 8 11 4
Batteries: EC, Lisa Cody, Caitlin Cravens (4) and Krystle Denny.
SM, Larissa O'Connor, Sarah Deroche (4) and Sabrina Sevigny.
Winning Pitcher: Cravens (7-3) Losing Pitcher: O'Connor (2-10)
2B: EC, Dinihanian, Sullivan, Mahoney. SM, Mills, Sevigny 2, Deroche, Gilman.
3B: EC, Dinihanian
HR: R. Denny (10), K. Denny (6)
RBI: EC, K. Denny 4, R. Denny 2, Caswell 2, Dinihanian.
SM, Sevigny 3, Gilman 2, Stuart, Mills.
Repeat Hitters: EC, K. Denny 3, Sullivan 3, Dinihanian, Caswell, Mahoney.
SM, Sevigny 3, Lowe, Dixon, Gilman.
################################################################################
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Southern Maine Splits DH With Bowdoin
BRUNSWICK, Maine -- Junior Anita Dixon (Limington, Maine/Bonny Eagle)
blasted a two-run home run to left-center field to lead the University of
Southern Maine Huskies softball team to a
6-3 win over the Bowdoin College Polar Bears in the second game of a non-
conference doubleheader Thursday at Brunswick, Maine.
The Polar Bears overcame an early 5-0 deficit in the first game to earn an
11-6 win in the opener. Bowdoin is now 20-8 on the season, while Southern Maine
remains even at 12-12.
Southern Maine took advantage of Bowdoin miscues in the nightcap to jump
ahead of the Polar Bears 4-0 after two innings. Freshman Stacey Stuart
(Belgrade, Maine/Messalonskee) gave USM the lead in the first inning with a two-
run single. The Huskies added to their lead in the second inning capitalizing
on a fielding error to score two unearned runs, including an RBI single from
Dixon.
After a scoreless third inning, Dixon provided the Huskies with their final
two runs of the game driving her third home run of the season over the left
field fence, scoring junior India Lowe (Gloucester, Mass.) who reached on a
single.
USM senior pitcher Kristina Grondin (Sanford, Maine) allowed just one hit
through the first four innings and improved to 7-2 on the season with the win.
For the game, Grondin allowed eight hits and two earned runs. Bowdoin College
sophomore Julia Jacobs (Ridgewood, N.J.) took the loss giving up two earned runs
on nine hits and three walks, while striking out eight.
In the first game, USM took a 5-0 lead, scoring five unearned runs in the
second inning, before Bowdoin rallied for the win. Lowe and freshman Sarah
Deroche (Portland, Maine/Deering) each had RBI singles in the inning for the
Huskies as the Polar Bears struggled defensively with two errors and a passed
ball.
Bowdoin picked up a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning on a two-
run double from sophomore Lauren Coven (Ridgewood, N.J). Bowdoin pulled even
with Southern Maine in the third inning scoring three runs on four hits,
including run-scoring singles from freshman Molly Nestor (Duxbury, Mass./Notre
Dame) and sophomore Clare Ronan (Jenkintown, Pa./William Penn).
The Polar Bears broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth, plating
six runs. The Polar Bears combined for seven hits in the inning, all singles.
Bowdoin junior pitcher Karen Reni (Ashland, Mass.) earned her 10th win of the
season (10-3) allowing 12 hits and just one earned run in seven innings of work.
USM sophomore pitcher Larissa O'Connor (Farmington, Maine/Mt. Blue) took the
loss for the Huskies giving up 10 earned runs on 14 hits in 3.1 innings pitched.
Southern Maine returns to action at home on Saturday (12:30 p.m.) when it
hosts Eastern Connecticut State University in a Little East Conference
doubleheader. Bowdoin College travels to the University of New England on
Tuesday (3:30 p.m.) for a non-conference doubleheader.
At Brunswick, Maine
Game 1 R H E
Southern Maine (11-12) 050 001 0 6 12 1
Bowdoin (20-7) 023 600 x 11 15 3
Batteries: SM, Larissa O'Connor, Sarah Deroche (4) and Sabrina Sevigny.
B, Karen Reni and Alison Coleman.
Winning Pitcher: Reni (10-3) Losing Pitcher: O'Connor (2-9)
2B: SM, Mills, Dixon, Grondin, Sevigny. B, Coven, Paris.
3B: None
HR: None
RBI: SM, Lowe, Deroche, Dixon.
B, Coven 3, Paris 2, Nestor 2, Ronan 2, Coleman.
Repeat Hitters: SM, Lowe 3, Dixon, Sevigny.
B, Daley 3, Ronan 3, Coven 3, Paris, Nestor, Coleman.
Game 2 R H E
Southern Maine (12-12) 220 200 0 6 9 3
Bowdoin (20-8) 000 000 3 3 9 3
Batteries: SM, Kristina Grondin and Sabrina Sevigny.
B, Julia Jacobs and Molly Nestor.
Winning Pitcher: Grondin (7-2) Losing Pitcher: Jacobs (9-5)
2B: SM, Cusack. B, Nestor, Coleman.
3B: None
HR: SM, Dixon (3)
RBI: SM, Dixon 3, Stuart 2. B, Coleman 2, Nestor.
Repeat Hitters: SM, Dixon. B, Daley.
################################################################################
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
USM-St. Joseph's Softball DH Rescheduled
GORHAM, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine Department of Athletics
announced today the following two changes to the Huskies softball schedule.
Today's makeup doubleheader between USM and St. Joseph's College has been
postponed, and rescheduled for Wednesday, April 23, at the USM Softball Field.
First game gets under way at 3:30 p.m.
The doubleheader between USM and Colby College, postponed last Sunday due
to USM's need to use the date for a conference commitment, will not be
rescheduled.
################################################################################
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Grondin Leads Huskies to LEC Sweep of UMass Boston
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior Kristina Grondin (Sanford, Maine) combined for
four hits and five RBI over two games to lead the University of Southern Maine
Huskies to a Little East Conference softball doubleheader sweep of the
University of Massachusetts Boston Beacons Tuesday at Towers Field in Gorham,
Maine.
Southern Maine earned an 11-3, five-inning win in the first game and
completed the sweep with an 8-2 win in the second game. Earning its third
straight win, and sixth in the last seven, Southern Maine evens out its records
to 11-11 overall and 3-3 in the conference. UMass Boston remains winless in the
LEC at 0-6 and falls to 3-20 overall.
Grondin exhibited power in the opening game, blasting a three-run home run
deep over the left-field fence to help USM to an 8-0 lead after two innings.
Southern Maine collected 11 hits off of UMass Boston junior pitcher Courtney
Haroules (Littleton, Mass./Cushing Academy) in the first game, including two
hits from freshman Sarah Deroche (Portland, Maine/Deering).
USM sophomore pitcher Larissa O’Connor (Farmington, Maine/Mt. Blue) earned
her second win of the season allowing two runs in three innings off of four hits
and a walk. Haroules, who struck out six, took the loss for the Beacons
yielding 10 earned runs on 11 hits and four walks.
In the second game, Grondin scattered five hits over seven innings to lead
USM to the win. Grondin, who struck out five batters to earn her sixth (6-2)
win of the season, got solid run support as the Huskies tagged Haroules for
seven earned runs on nine hits.
Southern Maine started off strong plating three runs in the first inning,
including an RBI triple to right-center field by Grondin. USM led 5-0 after
four innings scoring a pair of runs on two hits, three walks and two wild
pitches.
UMass Boston cut into the USM advantage with a run in the top of the
fourth. Freshman Kristine Faffley (Westmoreland, N.Y./Westmoreland) came around
to score on a wild pitch after connecting triple to right field. However, the
Huskies plated three more run in the bottom of the sixth, two coming home on a
double to center field by Deroche. The Beacons notched another run in the top
of the seventh off of an RBI single from Faffley, but Grondin retired the next
two batters to secure the win.
Southern Maine returns to action on Thursday (3:30 p.m.) at Bowdoin College
for a non-conference doubleheader. The Huskies were originally scheduled to
play a makeup doubleheader with St. Joseph’s College on Wednesday, but the game
has been postponed due to a scheduling conflict. UMass Boston travels to Lesley
College on Thursday (3:00 p.m.) for a non-conference doubleheader.
At Gorham, Maine
Game 1 R H E
UMass Boston (3-19, 0-5 LEC) 002 10 3 7 0
Southern Maine (10-11, 2-3 LEC) 442 1x 11 11 1
Batteries: UMB, Courtney Haroules and Amanda Cianciulli.
SM, Larissa O’Connor, Sarah Deroche (4) and Sabrina Sevigny.
Winning Pitcher: O’Connor (2-8) Losing Pitcher: Haroules (1-14)
2B: None
3B: SM, Carroll
HR: SM, Kristina Grondin
RBI: UMB, Widener, O’Connor. SM, Grondin 4, Stuart, Sevigny, Ford, Deroche.
Repeat Hitters: UMB, O’Connor. SM, Grondin, Deroche
Game 2 R H E
UMass Boston (3-20, 0-6 LEC) 000 010 1 2 5 4
Southern Maine (11-11, 3-3 LEC) 300 203 x 8 9 1
Batteries: UMB, Courtney Haroules and Amanda Cianciulli, Alex Quinn (3).
SM, Kristina Grondin and Sabrina Sevigny, Anita Dixon (5).
Winning Pitcher: Grondin (6-2) Losing Pitcher: Haroules (1-15)
2B: UMB, Knight. SM, Deroche.
3B: UMB, Faffley. SM, Grondin.
HR: None
RBI: UMB, Faffley. SM, Deroche 2, Grondin.
Repeat Hitters: UMB, Faffley. SM, Dixon, Grondin, Deroche.
################################################################################
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Southern Maine Splits with UMass Dartmouth
Sevigny Blasts a Pair of Home Runs in Nightcap
NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. -- Junior Sabrina Sevigny (Sanford, Maine) was a
perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with a pair of home runs and four RBI as the
University of Southern Maine Huskies defeated the University of Massachusetts
Dartmouth Corsairs 9-5 in the second game to salvage a split of their Little
East Conference softball doubleheader Sunday afternoon at the UMass Dartmouth
Athletic Complex in North Dartmouth, Mass.
In the opener, the Corsairs rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the
Huskies 5-2. With the split, the Huskies move to 9-11 overall and 1-3 in the
Little East. The Corsairs stand at 5-13 overall and 1-3 in the conference.
Sevigny stroked her first home run in the second inning, a solo shot, to
give the Huskies a 2-0 lead. She later connected for a two-run homer in the
fifth to become the first USM player to hit multiple home runs in a game since
Caterina Riitano hit a pair against Bates in May 2006.
The Huskies connected for 10 hits in the win, including six for extra
bases. Sophomore Tiffany Jordan (Bryant Pond, Maine/Telstar Regional), freshman
Sarah Deroche (Portland, Maine/Deering) and senior Kristina Grondin (Sanford,
Maine) each had a double, while freshman Stacey Stuart (Belgrade,
Maine/Messalonskee) added a solo home run.
Grondin, who also drove in a pair of runs, earned the win in the circle
firing seven strong innings. Grondin recorded 10 strikeouts and scattering
eight hits to improve to 5-2 on the season. UMass Dartmouth freshman starter
Ashley Puls (West Springfield, Mass.) took the loss for the Corsairs giving up
eight earned runs in 4.2 innings.
Trailing 2-0 in the opener, UMass Dartmouth rallied to tie the score in the
second inning on an RBI ground out from freshman Jessica Falzone (Revere, Mass.)
and an RBI single from sophomore Ashley Doyle (Kingston, Mass./Silver Lake
Regional). The Corsairs pulled ahead of the Huskies, 3-2, in the bottom of the
fourth on an RBI double from Falzone. The Corsairs added a pair of insurance
runs in the sixth inning on RBI singles from sophomore Emily Surprenant
(Attleboro, Mass.) and sophomore Penni Diamond (Wethersfield, Mass.)
Southern Maine scored both of its runs in the first inning on a two-out,
two-run double by Stuart. However, UMass Dartmouth junior Amie Nickerson
(Wrentham, Mass./King Phillip) held the Huskies without a run over the next six
innings to earn the win.
Southern Maine returns to action on Tuesday (3:30 p.m.) when it hosts the
University of Massachusetts Boston for a Little East Conference doubleheader.
UMass Dartmouth hosts Rhode Island College, also on Tuesday (3:30 p.m.).
At North Dartmouth, Mass.
Game 1 R H E
Southern Maine (8-11, 0-3 LEC) 200 000 0 2 8 2
UMass Dartmouth (5-12, 1-2 LEC) 020 102 x 5 7 0
Batteries: SM, Larissa O'Connor and Sabrina Sevigny.
UMD, Amie Nickerson and Kathleen L'abbe.
Winning Pitcher: Nickerson (4-7) Losing Pitcher: O'Connor (1-8)
2B: SM, Stuart, Sevigny. UMD, L'abbe.
3B: None
HR: None
RBI: SM, Stuart 2. UMD, Falzone 2, Surprenant, Diamond, Doyle.
Repeat: SM, Lowe, Deroche, Sevigny. UMD, Kelly.
Game 2 R H E
Southern Maine (9-11, 1-3 LEC) 112 130 1 9 10 0
UMass Dartmouth (5-13, 1-3 LEC) 000 300 2 5 8 0
Batteries: SM, Kristina Grondin and Sabrina Sevigny.
UMD, Ashley Puls, Amie Nickerson (5) and Kathleen L'abbe.
Winning Pitcher: Grondin (5-2) Losing Pitcher: Puls (1-6)
2B: SM, Grondin, Jordan, Deroche. UMD, Andruszkiewicz, Surprenant.
3B: None
HR: SM, Sabrina Sevigny 2 (3), Stacey Stuart (1)
RBI: SM, Sevigny 4, Grondin 2, Mills, Stuart.
UMD, L'abbe 2, Surprenant 2, Kelly.
Repeat: SM, Sevigny 3, Gilman. UMD, L'abbe, Kelly.
################################################################################
Friday, April 11, 2008
USM Announces Schedule Change For UMass Dartmouth DH
GORHAM, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine Department of Athletics
announced today the following schedule change for its Little East Conference
softball doubleheader at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth originally
scheduled to be played tomorrow.
Due to the inclement weather forecasted for Saturday, the USM-UMD twin bill
has been moved to Sunday, April 13, in Dartmouth, Mass. The first game is
scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m.
The Huskies' April 13 doubleheader at Colby College has been postponed.
Officials are trying to find an alternative date.
################################################################################
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Southern Maine Sweeps Salem State
STANDISH, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine Huskies softball team
pounded out 19 hits over two games to sweep the Salem State College Vikings in a
non-conference doubleheader played at the St. Joseph's College softball field
Thursday afternoon. The Huskies swept the Vikings with an 8-7, come-from-behind
victory in the first game and a 12-2, five-inning win in the nightcap.
With the two wins, Southern Maine extends its winning streak to three games
and improves its overall record to 8-10. Salem State, which has lost seven of
its last eight, falls to 12-14. The games were originally scheduled to be
played at USM, but were moved to St. Joseph's due to poor field conditions at
USM.
Trailing 7-6 in the bottom of the seventh of the first game, Southern Maine
took advantage of two costly Salem State errors to earn the win. With one out,
USM junior Sabrina Mills (Westford, Mass./Westford Academy) reached on a
fielding error. Sophomore India Lowe (Gloucester, Mass.) connected on her third
single of the game to move Mills to second base for the game-tying run. A
misplayed ground ball off the bat of junior Anita Dixon (Limington, Maine/Bonny
Eagle) bolted into the outfield, scoring both Mills and Lowe.
Southern Maine freshman Sarah Deroche (Portland, Maine/Deering) earned the
win to improve to 3-0 on the season. Deroche entered the game in relief of
sophomore starter Larissa O'Connor (Farmington, Maine/Mt. Blue). Deroche
pitched three innings allowing two earned runs on two hits and pair of walks.
O'Connor gave up four earned runs over four innings on five hits.
Salem State freshman pitcher Krystal Coleman (Chelmsford, Mass.) took the
loss for the Vikings. Despite allowing just three earned runs on seven hits and
one walk, Coleman was hurt by four errors.
In the second game, USM stroked 12 hits, including a three-run home run
from Dixon in the fifth inning that ended the game, and received solid pitching
from senior Kristina Grondin (Sanford, Maine) to complete the sweep.
Grondin gave up two runs scattering eight hits over five innings without a
walk to improve to
4-2. She struck out four batters.
The Huskies had four extra base hits in the game, including doubles from
Grondin, freshman Stacey Stuart (Belgrade, Maine/Messalonskee) and freshman
Sarah Cusack (Wells, Maine). Dixon led the Husky attack connecting for three
hits, scoring three runs and driving in four.
Salem State junior pitcher Katelyn Doherty (Lynnfield, Mass./Austin
Preparatory) gave up six earned runs in the loss. The Vikings continued to
struggle defensively making five errors in the game.
Jess Baird (Worcester, Mass./Holy Name Central Catholic) paced her team
offensively with four hits and three RBI over two games, including solo home run
in the first game that put the Vikings ahead 7-6 in the top of the seventh.
Southern Maine returns to action Saturday (1:00 p.m.) traveling to the
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth for a Little East Conference doubleheader.
Salem State travels to Fitchburg (MA) State College on Saturday (1:00 pm..) for
a MASCAC doubleheader.
At Standish, Maine
Game 1 R H E
Salem State (12-13) 300 210 1 7 7 4
Southern Maine (7-10) 300 003 2 8 7 1
Batteries: SSC, Krystal Coleman and Amanda Scola.
USM, Larissa O'Connor, Sarah Deroche (5)
and Sabrina Sevigny
Winning Pitcher: Deroche (3-0) Losing Pitcher: Coleman (5-7)
2B: SSC, Baird. SM, Grondin.
3B: None
HR: SSC, Jess Baird, Amanda Scola
RBI: SSC, Scola 3, Baird 2, Enos. SM, Stuart, Deroche
Repeat: SSC, Baird, Scola, Beauregard. SM, Lowe 3, Grondin.
Game 2 R H E
Salem State (12-14) 011 00 2 8 5
Southern Maine (8-10) 350 13 12 12 0
Batteries: SSC, Katelyn Doherty and Krista Brown.
SM, Kristina Grondin and Sabrina Sevigny.
Winning Pitcher: Grondin (4-2) Losing Pitcher: SSC, Doherty (5-4)
2B: SSC, Brown, Sonia. SM, Stuart, Gilman
3B: None
HR: SM, Anita Dixon
RBI: SSC, Baird. SM, Dixon 4, Grondin 2, Deroche 2, Mills, Lowe, Stuart,
Sevigny.
Repeat: SSC, Baird, Doherty. SM, Dixon 3, Stuart.
################################################################################
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
USM Announces Softball Schedule Updates
GORHAM, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine Department of Athletics
announced today the following changes to the Huskies softball schedule.
The doubleheader between USM and Salem State College scheduled for this
Thursday (3:30 p.m.) will be played at St. Joseph's College in Standish, Maine.
USM's home field in Gorham still has snow covering parts of the field.
The Little East Conference doubleheader between USM and Western Connecticut
State University, postponed this past weekend due to weather and poor field
conditions, has been reschedule for Sunday, April 20. The first game will get
underway at 12:00 p.m.
################################################################################
Monday, April 7, 2008
USM-St. Joseph's DH Rescheduled to April 16
GORHAM, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine Department of Athletics
announced today that the softball doubleheader between USM and St. Joseph's
College, scheduled for today at USM, has been rescheduled to Wednesday, April
16. The first game is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.
################################################################################
Saturday, April 5, 2008
USM-Western Connecticut DH Postponoed
GORHAM, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine Department of Athletics
announced today that the Little East Conference softball doubleheader between
USM and Western Connecticut State University, scheduled for tomorrow in Danbury,
Conn., has been postponed. No make-up date has been announced.
################################################################################
Friday, April 4, 2008
USM-Western Connecticut DH Rescheduled to Sunday
GORHAM, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine Department of Athletics
announced today that the Little East Conference softball doubleheader between
USM and Western Connecticut State University, scheduled for tomorrow in Danbury,
Conn., has been rescheduled to Sunday, April 6, at Western Connecticut. The
first game is scheduled to get underway at 12:00 p.m.
################################################################################
Thursday, April 3, 2008
(University of New England Sports Information contributed to this story.)
Southern Maine Splits With UNE
Bonny Brown-Denico Collects Career Win #300
BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine Huskies pounded out
15 hits to take a 7-4 win and earn a split of their softball doubleheader with
the University of New England Nor'easters Thursday afternoon at Claude Dubois
Field in Biddeford, Maine. The Huskies’ win gave head coach Bonny Brown-Denico
her 300th career win.
The Nor’easters took the opening game 5-4 with a two-run rally in the
bottom of the seventh inning.
In her 13th season, Brown-Denico, the 2007 Little East Conference Coach of
the Year, has amassed a 300-215-5 record. She is Southern Maine's all-time
leader in victories.
With the split Southern Maine moves to 6-10 overall, while the Nor'easters
remain even on the season at 6-6.
In the nightcap, the Huskies trailed 2-1 after four innings. The Huskies
plated five runs on six hits in the fifth to take control of the game. Freshman
Sarah Deroche (Portland, Maine/Deering) had a two-run double, junior Sabrina
Mills (Westford, Mass./Westford Academy) ripped an RBI single and freshman
Heather Gilman (Fairfield, Maine/Lawrence) had a run-producing groundout to lead
the Huskies in the inning. The fifth run scored on a wild pitch.
The Nor'easters threatened with a pair of runs in the bottom of the
seventh, but USM senior Kristina Grondin (Sanford, Maine) retired the final
three UNE batters to record the complete game victory. Grondin improved to 3-2
on the season with the victory, striking out five batters and scattering eight
hits over seven innings.
In the opener, the Nor'easters rallied in the home half of the seventh
inning to pick up the win. Trailing 4-3, the Nor'easters tied the score up on a
RBI double from junior Ashley DePasquale (Uxbridge, Mass.), and then earned the
victory on a game-winning RBI single from sophomore Jennifer Waldecker
(Hooksett, N.H.).
USM scored a pair of runs without the aid of a hit in the top of the
seventh to take a 4-3 lead. USM capitalized on two UNE errors and a wild
pitch. Freshman Stacey Stuart (Belgrade, Maine/Messalonskee) put the Huskies
ahead on a groundout.
Senior pitcher Sarah Hamel (Rochester, N.H.) earned the win for UNE in the
first game, pitching her way around four errors which led to four unearned runs.
Hamel allowed just three hits and struck out four to even her record at 3-3.
Southern Maine travels to Western Connecticut State University on Saturday
(12:00 p.m.) for a Little East Conference doubleheader. UNE hosts Nichols
College on the Saturday (12:00 p.m.) for a doubleheader.
At Biddeford, Maine
Game 1 R H E
Southern Maine (5-10) 200 000 2 4 3 3
University of New England (6-5) 001 020 2 5 9 4
Batteries: SM, Larissa O’Connor, Sarah Deroche (7) and Sabrina Sevigny.
UNE, Sarah Hamel and Megan Gaedje.
Winning Pitcher: Hamel (3-3) Losing Pitcher: O’Connor (1-7)
2B: SM, Mills, Stuart, Gilman. UNE, Baillargeon, Morin, DePasquale.
3B: None
HR: None
RBI: SM, Stuart, Gilman. UNE, Morin 2, Gaedje, DePasquale.
Repeat Hitters: UNE, Morin 3, Waldecker.
Game 2 R H E
Southern Maine (6-10) 001 051 0 7 15 3
University of New England (6-6) 101 000 2 4 8 3
Batteries: SM, Kristina Grondin and Sabrina Sevigny. UNE, Jess Silvio, Amber
Zablowsky (4), Sarah Hamel (5) and Caroline Engwer.
Winning Pitcher: Grondin (3-2) Losing Pitcher: Zablowsky (3-2)
2B: SM, Deroche, Grondin. UNE, Gaedje.
3B: UNE, Baillargeon.
HR: None
RBI: SM, Deroche 2, Stuart, Mills, Gilman. UNE, Webb, Morin, Engwer.
Repeat Hitters: SM, Mills 3, Lowe 3, Stuart 3, Dixon.
UNE, Baillargeon, Waldecker.
################################################################################
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Babson Takes Two from Southern Maine
BABSON PARK, Mass. -- Junior Kaitlyn Clark (Ramsey, N.J.) had six hits
and drove in four runs lead the Babson College Beavers to a non-conference
doubleheader sweep of the University of Southern Maine Huskies Sunday afternoon
in Babson Park, Mass. Babson defeated USM 6-1 in the opener, and then earned an
11-3, six-inning win in the second game.
The Beavers extended their winning streak to six games to improve to 11-7
overall. Suffering their fourth consecutive loss, the Huskies fall to 5-9
overall.
In the nightcap, Clark stroked a bases-loaded double down the left field
line to drive in the Beavers’ first three runs in a game-ending, six-run rally
in the sixth inning. Clark’s double was one of three hits from the Beavers in
the inning. The Beavers also took advantage of two walks and three Southern
Maine errors. Senior Jess Cohen (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Sutherland) added an
RBI single in the inning, finishing the game with three hits and three RBI.
Trailing 3-0 after the first inning, Southern Maine rallied with a run in
the second and two runs in the fourth to knot the score. USM freshman Heather
Gilman (Fairfield, Maine/Lawrence) scored in the second on a wild pitch after
reaching base safely with one of her two hits in the game. In the fourth,
Gilman again provided the Huskies with some offense knocking a double to left-
center field to plate a run, followed by junior Sabrina Sevigny (Sanford, Maine)
lacing a single up the middle to tie the score.
Babson regained the lead however in the fifth plating two runs on a two-
out, two-run double from freshman Nicole Giuliano (North Reading, Mass./Austin
Prep).
In the top of the sixth, Babson sophomore pitcher Danielle Liska (Seymour,
Conn.) was able to work her way out of a jam. After giving up back-to-back
singles to open the inning, Liska benefited from a runners interference call and
then retired the next two batters on strikeouts.
Liska earned the win for Babson pitching 2.2 innings after relieving
freshman starter Caroline Barr (Wilmington, Mass./Austin Prep). Liska gave up
three hits, but fanned five batters while holding USM without a run. USM
sophomore Larissa O’Connor (Farmington, Maine/Mt. Blue) took the loss giving up
eight hits and three walks in 5.1 innings pitched.
In the first game, Babson cranked out 13 hits, scored three runs in the
third and fourth innings and rode a solid, complete-game pitching effort from
senior Jess Byrn (Safety Harbor, Fla./Countryside) to take the 6-1 victory.
Byrn held the Huskies scoreless over the first six innings, yielding a
harmless run in the top of the seventh, to improve her record to 7-3 on the
season. Byrn scattered seven hits, walked none and struck out eight.
Giuliano, Cohen and freshman Jess Winer (Longmeadow, Mass.) each drove in a
run in the third inning for Babson. Cohen connected on a double while Giuliano
hit a triple to center field. In the fourth, Clark collected an RBI on a single
to center field, and Byrn drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. The Beavers’
scored their third run of the inning during a rundown.
USM senior pitcher Kristina Grondin (Sanford, Maine) gave up 13 hits in six
innings. Grondin did not give up a walk and struck out five. Sevigny drove in
the Huskies’ lone run.
Southern Maine travels to the University of New England on Tuesday (3:30
p.m.) for a non-conference doubleheader. Babson hosts Wellesley College Tuesday
(3:30 p.m.) in a NEWMAC doubleheader.
At Babson Park, Mass.
Game 1 R H E
Southern Maine (5-8) 000 000 1 1 7 2
Babson (10-7) 003 300 x 6 13 0
Batteries: SM, Kristina Grondin and Sabrina Sevigny.
B, Jess Byrn and Jess Cohen.
Winning Pitcher: Byrn (7-3) Losing Pitcher: Grondin (2-2)
2B: SM, Mills. B, Cohen.
3B: B, Giuliano.
HR: none
RBI: SM, Sevigny. B, Byrn, Cohen, Giuliano, Clark, Winer.
Repeat Hitters: SM, Mills. B, Clark 3, Giuliano, Thurston.
Game 2 R H E
Southern Maine (5-9) 010 200 3 9 5
Babson (11-7) 300 026 11 10 2
Batteries: SM, Larissa O’Connor, Sarah Deroche (6) and Sabrina Mills.
B, Danielle Liska and Jess Cohen
Winning Pitcher: Liska (3-3) Losing Pitcher: O’Connor (1-6)
2B: SM, Gilman. B, Clark, Cohen, Giuliano.
3B: None
HR: None
RBI: SM, Gilman, Sevigny.
B, Clark 3, Cohen 3, Giuliano 2, D’Agostino, Russo.
Repeat Hitters: SM, Deroche, Stuart, Gilman. B, Clark 3, Cohen, Cyr
################################################################################
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Rhode Island College Sweeps Southern Maine
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Freshman Amanda Perry (New Bedford, Mass.) connected
for five hits and drove in five runs to lead the Rhode Island College
Anchorwomen to a 20-7 win over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in the
second game of a Little East Conference doubleheader Saturday afternoon in
Providence, Rhode Island. Rhode Island College defeated USM 14-0 in five
innings in the first game of the day to earn the sweep.
With the two wins, Rhode Island College improves to 14-4 overall and starts
the Little East Conference season 2-0. Southern Maine dips to 5-7 overall and
0-2 in the conference. The doubleheader was originally scheduled to be played
at USM, but was move to Providence because snow still covers the USM field.
The Anchorwomen tagged two USM hurlers for 19 hits in the second game,
including five from Perry and four from senior Christie Lotti (Waterford,
Conn.).
RIC jumped out to a 5-0 lead through three innings. The Huskies rallied
for a run in the fourth, two runs in the fifth and three runs in the sixth to
pull to within four, 10-6, after six innings.
Freshman Sarah Deroche (Portland, Maine/Deering) put the Huskies on the
board in the fourth with an RBI single, while senior Kristina Grondin (Sanford,
Maine) cranked out a two-run double in the fifth. In the sixth, sophomore India
Lowe (Gloucester, Mass.) connected on a single to plate two runs and junior
Anita Dixon (Limington, Maine/Bonny Eagle) knocked in a run with a single.
However, RIC closed out the game in the seventh plating 10 runs on five
hits, six walks and a pair of USM fielding miscues. The Huskies got a run back
in the bottom of the inning on a Lowe single for her third RBI of the game.
In the first game, the Anchorwomen pounded out 14 hits and freshman Melanie
Neece (Westfield, Mass.) and sophomore Jamie Sacco (Bellingham, Mass.) combined
to hold the Huskies scoreless while allowing just two hits to earn a 14-0, five-
inning shutout. Neece, the starting pitcher, allowed just two hits and struck
out five batters in four innings pitched to earn the victory and improve to 7-1
overall. Grondin took the loss for the Huskies to fall to 2-1 on the season.
The Anchorwomen showed power offensively stroking seven extra base hits off
Grondin, including home runs from sophomore Cassandra Taverna (Bedford, Mass.)
and freshman Chelsi Panarelli (Shrewsbury, Mass.). Southern Maine junior
Sabrina Mills (Westford, Mass./Westford Academy) collected both of the Huskies'
hits in the game, banging out a double and a triple.
Southern Maine returns to action on Sunday (12:00 p.m.) when it travels to
Babson College for a non-conference doubleheader. Rhode Island College hosts
Bridgewater State College in a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday (3:30
p.m.).
At Providence, R.I.
Game One R H E
Rhode Island College (13-4, 1-0) 431 06 14 14 0
Southern Maine (5-6, 0-1) 000 00 0 2 2
Batteries: RIC, Melanie Neece, Jamie Sacco (5) and Jeanne Rosa.
SM, Kristina Grondin and Sabrina Sevigny.
Winning Pitcher: Neece (7-1) Losing Pitcher: Grondin (2-1)
2B: RIC, Lotti, Perrin, Koutsulis, Perry, Kostenblatt. SM, Mills
3B: SM, Mills
HR: RIC, Cassandra Taverna, Chelsi Panarelli
RBI: RIC, Panarelli 4, Taverna 3, Lotti, Perrin, Bilek, Mattoon, Rosa,
Kostenblatt.
Repeat Hitters: RIC, Lotti 3, Taverna, Perry. SM, Mills
Game Two R H E
Rhode Island College (14-4, 2-0) 122 320 (10) 20 19 1
Southern Maine (5-7, 0-2) 000 123 1 7 13 3
Batteries: RIC, Jenna Deveines, Jamie Sacco (5), Melanie Neece (6) and Laura
Kostenblatt. SM, Larissa O'Connor, Stacey Stuart (7) and Sabrina Sevigny.
Winning Pitcher: Deveines (7-2) Losing Pitcher: O'Connor (1-5)
2B: RIC, Perry, Kostenblatt, Bilek, Souza. SM, Grondin
3B: RIC, Lotti
HR: None
RBI: RIC, Perry 5, Perrin 3, Bilek 2, DeNoncour 2, Kostenblatt, Panarelli,
Mattoon, Dube. SM, Lowe 3, Grondin 2, Dixon, Deroche
Repeat Hitters: RIC, Perry 5, Lotti 4, Bilek 3, Perrin, Souza.
SM, Stuart 3, Mills, Dixon, Grondin, Lowe
################################################################################
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Huskies Split Final Two Games in Florida
Fall to Otterbein 7-6; Defeat SUNY-Potsdam 7-6 in 8 Innings
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Freshman Sarah Cusack (Wells, Maine) laced a line
drive up the middle to drive in the game-winning run as the University of
Southern Maine Huskies rallied from a one-run deficit in the bottom of the
eighth inning to defeat the SUNY-Potsdam Bears 7-6 Tuesday morning at the Gene
Cusic Classic at the Lee County Sports Complex in Fort Myers, Fla. The Huskies
dropped to their first game of the day to the Otterbein College Cardinals 7-6.
With the split, Southern Maine concludes its 10-game Florida trip with a 5-
5 record. Otterbein College improved to 4-5 while Potsdam fell to 3-5.
Against Potsdam, Southern Maine jumped out to a 5-0 lead after three
innings of play. The Huskies used a two-run single from freshman Sarah Stuart
(Belgrade, Maine) in the first inning and a two-run triple down the right field
line from freshman Heather Gilman (Fairfield, Maine/Lawrence) in the third to
take command.
The Bears roared in the fourth inning with a two-out rally, tagging USM
freshman pitcher Sarah Deroche (Portland, Maine/Deering) for three runs. Junior
Ashley McCoy (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) hit a two-run double to left-
center field, and later came around to score on a triple by freshman Susan
Garrett (Queens Village, N.Y./St. Francis). Deroche ended the Bears rally with
a ground out to get out of the inning with USM clinging to a 5-3 lead.
Garrett drove in her second run of the game in the sixth with a single to
right field scoring freshman Kari Frego (Norwood, N.Y./Norwood-Norfolk). Frego
reached base safely on a USM throwing error for the unearned run.
Continuing their rally, the Bears pulled even with the Huskies in the top
of the seventh on a RBI single from junior Jocelyn Cole (Heulvelton, N.Y.).
With a runner placed on second base to start the eighth inning, the Bears
parlayed a fielder’s choice and a USM throwing error into a run to go ahead 6-5.
The Bears looked poised to break the game open with the bases loaded and no
outs, but the Huskies were able to shore up their defense and get out of the
inning. Southern Maine got a force out at home for the first out, and then
sophomore India Lowe (Gloucester, Mass.) made a running grab in the outfield to
prevent an extra base hit and doubled up the runner at second for an inning-
ending double play.
Trailing 6-5 with Stuart placed on second, Southern Maine got two runners
in scoring position following a bunt single from junior Sabrina Sevigny
(Sanford, Maine) that moved Stuart to third, and a stolen base by Sevigny.
After a popout, junior Meghan Ford (Mechanic Falls, Maine/Poland Regional) came
through with a pinch-hit ground out RBI to the first base side to tie the score
at 6-6 to set up Cusack for the game-winning hit.
Deroche earned her second win in as many starts for USM allowing six hits
and four walks over eight innings, while striking out seven batters. SUNY-
Potsdam sophomore Megan Strough (Lorraine, N.Y./South Jefferson) took the loss
yielding 10 hits and four walks in 7.2 innings.
In the first game, Otterbein scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth to
break a 5-5 tie and held on for the win with solid defense in the seventh to
defeat Southern Maine 7-6.
In the fifth, Otterbein’s first three batters reached base safely to load
the bases. Otterbein plated the go-ahead runs on an infield throwing error of
freshman Brittany Byers’ (Westerville, Ohio/South) ground ball. The Huskies
were able to get out of the inning without any further damage as sophomore
pitcher Larissa O’Connor (Farmington, Maine/Mt. Blue) retired the next three
batters in order on a pop fly and consecutive ground outs.
Southern Maine rallied for a run in the top of the seventh on an RBI single
by Deroche. However, Otterbein limited the Huskies to just one run by recording
a difficult, third-to-first double play prior to Deroche’s at-bat. Otterbein
ended the USM threat when sophomore Felicia Vermaaten (Newark, Ohio) scooped up
a driven ground ball and flipped it to second base to retire the side.
O’Connor took the loss for Southern Maine giving up six hits and five walks
in six innings. She stands at 1-4 on the season. Otterbein junior pitcher
Kristina Hayes (Upper Arlington, Ohio) earned the win pitching three innings
after relieving freshman starter Nadine Bower (Toledo, Ohio/St. Ursula Academy)
to start the fifth inning. Hayes allowed just four hits and one run over the
final three frames.
Southern Maine returns to action on Saturday (1:00 p.m.) when it travels to
Rhode Island College for its Little East Conference opener. The doubleheader
was originally scheduled to be played at USM, but the field in Gorham is still
covered by snow.
At Fort Myers, Fla.
Game 1 R H E
Southern Maine (4-5) 014 000 1 6 8 4
Otterbein (4-5) 500 020 x 7 6 0
Batteries: SM, Larissa O’Connor and Sabrina Sevigny.
O, Nadine Bower, Kristina Hayes (5) and Lauren Tibjash.
Winning Pitcher: Hayes Losing Pitcher: O’Connor (1-4)
2B: SM, Ford. O, Bernard, Beers. 3B: None HR: None
RBI: SM, Deroche 2, Sevigny 2, Stuart. O, Bernard 2, Kelsey Beers, Kendy Beers.
Repeat Hitters: SM, Jordan, Deroche.
Game 2 R H E
SUNY-Potsdam (3-5) 000 301 11 6 6 0
Southern Maine (5-5) 203 000 02 7 10 2
(Two out when winning run scored)
Batteries: P, Megan Strough and Susan Garrett.
SM, Sarah Deroche and Sabrina Sevigny.
Winning Pitcher: Deroche (2-0) Losing Pitcher: Strough
2B: P, Flynn. 3B: P, Garrett. SM, Gilman. HR: None
RBI: P, Garrett 2, McCoy 2, Cole. SM, Stuart 2, Gilman 2, Ford, Cusack.
Repeat Hitters: P, Garrett. SM, Stuart 3, Deroche, Cusack.
################################################################################
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
USM-R.I. College DH Moved to Providence, R.I.
GORHAM, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine Department of Athletics
announced today that this Saturday's (March 29) home opening softball
doubleheader between USM and Rhode Island College has been moved to Providence,
R.I. The move was necessitated by the snow covering the USM athletic fields in
Gorham.
Game time for the first game is 1:00 p.m.
################################################################################
Monday, March 24, 2008
Southern Maine Defeats Alverno and Oberlin
CAPE CORAL, Fla. -- Freshman Sarah Deroche (Portland, Maine/Deering)
combined a 3-for-6 effort at the plate and a complete game in the circle to lead
the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a pair of wins Monday morning in the
Gene Cusic Classic at the Cape Coral Sports Complex in Cape Coral, Florida.
Deroche cranked out a pair of triples in the Huskies' 8-5 win over the
Alverno College Inferno in the first game, then paced the Huskies by limiting
the Oberlin College Yeowomen to three hits over five innings to earn a 9-1,
five-inning win in the second game.
With the pair of victories, Southern Maine gets back to the .500 mark a
4-4. Alverno, dropping its second straight game, falls to 2-5, while Oberlin
remains winless at 0-4.
The Huskies jumped on the Inferno early tagging freshman pitcher Brianne
Porter (Oak Creek, Wis./Oak Creek) for two home runs in the first inning.
Junior Anita Dixon (Limington, Maine/Bonny Eagle) led off the inning with a solo
shot down the left field line to put the Huskies on the board. Two batters
later, junior Sabrina Mills (Westford, Mass./Westford Academy) sent a line drive
shot to the left-center field gap for an early 2-0 lead.
The Huskies went ahead 6-0 in the bottom of the second scoring four runs a
two-run single from sophomore Tiffany Jordan (Bryant Pond, Maine/Telstar
Regional), a sacrifice bunt from sophomore India Lowe (Gloucester, Mass.) and a
sacrifice fly to center field from Mills.
Alverno notched a pair of runs in the top of the third on back-to-back home
runs from freshman Melissa Bankenbush (Franksville, Wis./Union Grove) and senior
SS Lea Colon (Antioch, Ill./Kenosha Bradford), but the Huskies answered back
with two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Deroche drove in a run
with an RBI triple to deep center field and junior Meaghan Ford (Mechanic Falls,
Maine/Poland Regional) brought Deroche home with a sacrifice bunt.
Alverno fought back for another run in the top of the fourth on an RBI
single from junior Elizabeth Malko (New Berlin, Wis./Eisenhower) and added two
more in the top of the seventh following a two-run home run from Bankenbush.
The Inferno threatened with a runner on second and one out, but USM sophomore
pitcher Larissa O'Connor (Farmington, Maine/Mt. Blue) was able to get the final
two outs on a fly ball and a ground out.
O'Connor earned her first win of the season pitching seven innings,
allowing eight hits and four walks while striking out two. Porter took the loss
for Alverno giving up eight runs on seven hits and two walks. Sophomore Jessica
Goetz (Milwaukee, Wis./Martin Luther) relieved Porter in the third inning and
finished the game with four hitless innings of shutout relief.
In the second game, Deroche scattered three hits and did not walk a batter
over five innings while fanning four to pick up her first collegiate victory.
The Huskies exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the third inning to break
open a close game en route to the 9-1 final.
Deroche retired eight consecutive batters after yielding a game-opening
single. Deroche was able to keep the Oberlin bats quiet until the top of the
fourth when she was nicked for a run on a pair of singles and an infield error.
The rookie hurler spotted her team a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first
with an RBI single. The Huskies notched eight runs in the bottom of the third
to put the game away. The Huskies rapped out five hits in the inning, including
two-run singles from freshmen Heather Gilman (Fairfield, Maine/Lawrence),
freshmen Joseline Belanger (Mexico, Maine/Telstar Regional) and junior Sabrina
Sevigny (Sanford, Maine/Sanford).
Oberlin plated its run in the fourth on an RBI single from sophomore Julia
Chauvin (Hillsborough, N.C./Orange). It would be the only run the Yeowomen
would score as Deroche retired the next six batters she face in order to earn
the win. Sophomore pitcher Jen Sees (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora) took the loss
for Oberlin allowing 11 hits and three walks in four innings.
Southern Maine returns to action on Tuesday facing Otterbein College (9:00
a.m.) and SUNY-Potsdam (11:00 a.m.) in the final two games of its 10-game
Florida trip.
At Cape Coral, Fla.
Game 1 R H E
Alverno (2-5) 002 100 2 5 8 0
Southern Maine (3-4) 242 000 x 8 7 0
Batteries: A, Brianne Porter, Jessica Goetz (3) and Elizabeth Malko.
SM, Larissa O'Connor and Sabrina Sevigny.
Winning Pitcher: O'Connor (1-3) Losing Pitcher: Porter
2B: A, Colon SM, Sevigny
3B: SM, Deroche 2
HR: A, Melissa Bankenbush 2, Lea Colon
SM, Anita Dixon (1), Sabrina Mills (1)
RBI: A, Bankenbush 3, Colon, Malko
SM, Jordan 2, Mills 2, Dixon, Deroche, Lowe, Ford
Repeat Hitters: A, Spindler, Bankenbush, Colon, Malko SM, Deroche
At Cape Coral, Fla.
Game 2 R H E
Oberlin (0-4) 000 10 1 3 1
Southern Maine (4-4) 108 0x 9 11 1
Batteries: O, Jen Sees and Ruth Allanbrook. SM, Sarah Deroche and Sevigny.
Winning Pitcher: DeRoche (1-0) Losing Pitcher: Sees
2B: SM, Stuart
3B: None
HR: None
RBI: O, Chauvin SM, Belanger 2, Sevigny 2, Gilman 2, Richard, Deroche
Repeat Hitters: O, Zanni SM, Sevigny 3, Gilman, Stuart
################################################################################
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Southern Maine Loses to Fredonia State and Middlebury
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Sophomore Bree Crossett (Wayland, N.Y./Wayland-
Cohocton) cranked out a home run to left-center field to kick start a four-run
sixth inning to lead the Fredonia State Blue Devils to an 8-4 win over the
University of Southern Maine Huskies Saturday morning in the first of two losses
for the Huskies at the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, Fla. The Huskies
dropped their second game of the day to the Middlebury College Panthers 16-11.
With the two losses, Southern Maine drops to 2-4 overall. Earning its
third straight win, Fredonia State improves to 3-0, while Middlebury evens out
at 1-1.
With the scored tied at 4-4 through five-and-a-half innings, Crossett
served as her team’s catalyst, connecting on her first home run of the season to
put the Blue Devils ahead. The Blue Devils then parlayed a pair of USM errors
into their second run of the inning before sophomore Samantha Voncina (Derby,
N.Y./Lake Shore) and freshman Kristy Sheridan (Buffalo, N.Y./Mount Mercy) each
drove in a run. Voncina singled to left field while Sheridan used a sacrifice
bunt to earn the RBI.
Southern Maine took a 4-3 lead in the fifth inning when junior Sabrina
Sevigny (Sanford, Maine/Sanford) drilled a two-run, two-out home run over the
center field fence.
Fredonia State sophomore Andrea DeVon (Elmira, N.Y./Notre Dame) earned the
win for the Blue Devils after relieving starter freshman Adriana Connell
(Geneva, N.Y.) in the sixth inning. Connell allowed three earned runs on six
hits and pair of walks through five innings. DeVon did not yield a hit in the
sixth inning. Junior Cristina Reale (Geneva, N.Y.) closed the game out for the
Blue Devils firing a scoreless seventh inning. Southern Maine sophomore hurler
Larissa O'Connor (Farmington, Maine/Mt. Blue) allowed five earned runs on 10
hits and three walks in six innings.
In the second game, Middlebury rallied from an early 7-0 deficit to defeat
Southern Maine. The Huskies scored seven runs in the first inning, taking
advantage of three Panther errors and four wild pitches while cranking out six
of their 13 hits in the game. Freshman Heather Gilman (Fairfield,
Maine/Lawrence) drove in two of Southern Maine’s runs in the inning with the
first of her two doubles in the game. Six of the seven USM runs were unearned.
Middlebury bounced back with four runs in the bottom of the first and added
five more in the bottom of the second to take the lead. Middlebury drew five
walks in their first at bat and had two hits in the inning, including an RBI
single from freshman Carlie Crawford (Mount Vernon, Wash.). Middlebury
continued to take advantage of the Huskies pitching struggles drawing six more
walks and notching a single by freshman Emily Burbridge (E. Greenwich, R.I./St.
Mary Academy-Bay View) to plate five runs.
Middlebury added four more runs in the bottom of the third to go ahead 13-
7. Freshman Kelsey Chisholm (Lynnfield, Mass./Lynnfield) drove in the first run
with single before sophomore Kristin Maletsky (Kinnelon, N.J./Pingry School) hit
a three-run home run.
Southern Maine pulled to within three of Middlebury in the top of the fifth
inning. Freshman Sarah Cusack (Wells, Maine/Wells) singled in the first of
three runs, before USM scored two more runs, both unearned, on Middlebury
errors.
Middlebury answered back in the bottom of the inning scoring two runs on an
RBI single from freshman Leslie Crawford (Mount Vernon, Wash.) and added another
run in the sixth on an RBI triple from freshman Megan Margel (Ridgewood, N.J.).
The Huskies took a run back in the top of the seventh on an RBI single from
Cusack for the 16-11 final.
Freshman pitcher Stacey Stuart (Belgrade, Maine/Messalonskee) took the loss
for Southern Maine allowing five earned runs in 1.1 innings. Freshman Ali
McAnaney (Northbrook, Ill./Glenbrook North) earned the win allowing two earned
runs on 13 hits in a complete game effort.
Southern Maine returns to action on Monday facing Alverno College (9:00
a.m.) and Oberlin College (11:00 a.m.).
At Fort Myers, Fla.
Game 1 R H E
Southern Maine (2-3) 020 020 0 4 6 3
SUNY Fredonia (3-0) 120 014 x 8 10 0
Batteries: SM, Larissa O’Connor and Sabrina Sevigny. F, Adriana Connell,
Andrea DeVon (6), Cristina Reale (7) and Jessica Cole, Bree Crossett (2)
Winning Pitcher: DeVon (2-0) Losing Pitcher: O'Connor (0-3)
2B: SM, Grondin 2 F, Connell
3B: None
HR: SM, Sevigny F, Breanne Crossett
RBI: SM, Sevigny 2, Mills, Cusack
F, DeVon 2, Voncina, A. Connell, Crossett, B. Connell
Repeat Hitters: SM, Grondin F, Samantha Voncina, Kristy Sheridan and Reale
At Fort Myers, Fla.
Game 2 R H E
Southern Maine (2-4) 700 030 1 11 13 5
Middlebury (1-1) 454 021 x 16 8 7
Batteries: SM, Stacey Stuart, Sarah Deroche (2) and Sevigny.
M, Ali McAnaney and Carlie Crawford.
Winning Pitcher: McAnaney (1-0) Losing Pitcher: Stuart (0-1)
2B: SM, Gilman, Deroche
3B: M, Margel
HR: M, Kristin Maletsky
RBI: SM, Cusack 3, Gilman 2, Stuart, Sevigny
M, Maletsky 4, L. Crawford 2, Margel 2, Chisholm 2, Cannella, McAnaney, C.
Crawford
Repeat Hitters: SM, Cusack 3, Gilman, Deroche, Dixon, Jordan M, L. Crawford
################################################################################
Friday, March 21, 2008
Southern Maine Defeats St. Lawrence and Falls to Wisconsin-Superior
CAPE CORAL, Fla. -- Junior 1B Anita Dixon (Limington, Maine/Bonny Eagle)
banged out a pair of triples to drive in six runs as the University of Southern
Maine Huskies defeated the St. Lawrence University Saints 10-2 in five innings
Friday morning at the Cape Coral Sports Complex in Cape Coral, Florida. The
Huskies fell to the University of Wisconsin-Superior Yellow Jackets 10-2 in five
innings in their second game.
With the split, Southern Maine remains at .500 with a 2-2 record. St.
Lawrence fell to 3-8 with the loss, while the Yellow Jackets improved to 11-6
with the win.
Dixon drilled bases loaded triples down the left field line in the third
and the fourth innings to break open a 0-0 stalemate. Dixon also had a single
in the first inning to finish the game 3-for-4 with two runs scored and six RBI.
The two triples and six RBI equaled the school single-game records.
Southern Maine plated four runs in the top of third. Dixon laced her first
triple of the game to score sophomore 2B Tiffany Jordan (Bryant Pond,
Maine/Telstar Regional), junior SS Sabrina Mills (Westford, Mass./Westford
Academy) and freshman OF Sarah Cusack (Wells, Maine/Wells). Cusack and Mills
each reached base safely stroking a single, while Jordan took advantage of an
error on a sacrifice bunt to load the bases for Dixon. Dixon came around to
score on the play following a throwing error, to put the Huskies ahead 4-0.
In the fourth inning, Dixon continued her clutch hitting with her second
triple as the Huskies scored six runs helping invoke the eight-run rule. Cusack
drove in Southern Maine's first run with a single up the middle. Dixon drove in
the next three runs, scoring Cusack, Mills and Jordan. Mills and Jordan both
reached base drawing walks. Junior catcher Sabrina Sevigny (Sanford,
Maine/Sanford) and freshman DH Sarah Stuart (Belgrade, Maine/Messalonskee) drove
in the final runs of the inning on RBI singles.
The Saints rallied for two runs in the bottom of the fourth on a two-out,
two-run homer to right-center field by sophomore OF Amy Atkins (Westerlo,
N.Y./Doane Stuart), but USM senior pitcher Kristina Grondin (Sanford,
Maine/Sanford) was able to battle her way out of further trouble after giving up
two singles by inducing a fielder's choice grounder.
Saint Lawrence threatened in the bottom of the fifth with two runners on
and no outs. Dixon snagged a line drive and doubled up the runner at first base
for an unassisted double play, and Grondin notched her sixth strikeout of the
game for the final out.
Grondin improved to 2-0 on the season allowing six hits and two walks over
five innings. Pioneer freshman pitcher Megan Goodemote (Queensbury, N.Y.)
allowed 10 earned runs on eight hits and three walks in 3.1 innings pitched to
take the loss.
In the second game, Wisconsin-Superior scored six runs in the first two
innings to defeat the Huskies. Trailing 2-0 in the first, the Yellow Jackets
charged back for three runs in the bottom of the first and added three more in
the second. The Yellow Jackets plated three more runs in the fourth and scored
their final run in the fifth for the 10-2 win.
Junior Becky Crane (Altoona, Wis.), sophomore Jen Parchem (Baraboo, Wis.)
and junior Brooke Bailey (Superior, Wis.) each connected for three hits to pace
the 12-hit Wisconsin-Superior attack. Bailey drove in three runs for the Yellow
Jackets, while senior OF Alyson Lundberg (Osseo, Wis.) matched Bailey in RBI
cranking out a three-run triple in the bottom of the fourth.
Wisconsin-Superior junior pitcher Nichole Tessier (Hermantown, Minn.)
earned the win for the Yellow Jackets spreading out four hits in five innings
while striking out six. USM sophomore pitcher Larissa O'Connor (Farmington,
Maine/Mt. Blue) took the loss allowing four runs on six hits in 1.2 innings
pitched.
Southern Maine returns to action on Saturday at the Lee County Fields in
Fort Myers, Florida. The Huskies face Fredonia State (9:00 a.m.) and Middlebury
College (11:00 a.m.).
At Cape Coral, Fla.
Game 1 R H E
Southern Maine (2-1) 004 60 10 10 2
St. Lawrence (3-8) 000 20 2 6 0
Batteries: SM, Kristin Grondin and Sabrina Sevigny.
STL, Megan Goodemote, Rachel Duffany (4) and Jenna Padeni
Winning Pitcher: Grondin (2-0) Losing Pitcher: Goodemote
2B: None
3B: SM, Dixon 2
HR: SLU, Atkins
RBI: SM, Dixon 6, Cusack, Sevigny, Stuart SLU, Atkins 2
Repeat Hitters: SM, Dixon 3, Cusack SLU, Manderfield
At Cape Coral, Fla.
Game 2 R H E
Southern Maine (2-2) 200 00 2 4 2
Superior.-Superior (11-6) 330 31 10 12 2
Batteries: SM, Larissa O'Connor, Grondin (2) and Dixon, Sevigny (2).
WS, Nichole Tessier and Jen Parchem
Winning Pitcher: WS, Tessier Losing Pitcher: SM, O'Connor (0-2)
2B: SM, Cusack WS, Crane, Bailey
3B: WS, Lundberg
HR: None
RBI: SM, Grondin 2 WS, Bailey 3, Lundberg 3
Repeat Hitters: WS, Crane 3, Parchem 3, Bailey 3, Redlich
################################################################################
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Southern Maine Defeats Albright 13-5; Falls to Roger Williams 8-0
CAPE CORAL, Fla. - The University of Southern Maine Huskies opened their
2008 season pounding out 18 hits in its first game to earn a 13-5 win over the
Albright College Lady Lions in six innings Thursday morning in the Gene Cusic
Classic at Northwest Field in Cape Coral, Florida.
The Huskies fell to the Roger Williams University Hawks 8-0 in six innings
in their second game of the day to begin the season 1-1. Suffering its fourth
consecutive loss, Albright dropped to
4-7, while Roger Williams improved to 3-5.
Trailing 3-0 through three innings, Southern Maine bounced back with two in
the fourth, three in the fifth, and rapped out 10 hits and scored eight runs in
the bottom of the sixth inning to earn the victory.
Senior pitcher Kristina Grondin (Sanford, Maine), junior 1B Anita Dixon
(Limington, Maine/Bonny Eagle) and freshman OF Sarah Cusack (Wells, Maine) each
drove in a pair of runs to key the Huskies' eight-run outburst. Cusack, who
batted twice in the inning, reached base safely both times with a pair of
singles and came around to score the final run.
Grondin earned the win for Southern Maine firing six solid innings in the
circle. Grondin struck out five batters and scattered seven hits while allowing
two walks. Grondin also benefited from her teammates lively bats as five USM
players had at least two hits in the game. Junior shortstop Sabrina Mills
(Westford, Mass./Westford Academy) cranked out four hits in five at bats, while
freshman DH Stacey Stuart (Belgrade, Maine/Messalonskee) made her collegiate
debut with a perfect 4-for-4 mark at the plate. Both Mills and Stuart knocked
in a run.
Albright freshman pitcher Dana Parolari (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-
Raritan) gave up seven earned runs in 5.1 innings on 15 hits and two walks in
the loss. Freshman 1B Ally Wenrich (Hamburg, Pa./Lewiston) and sophomore OF
Kelli Johnson (Shoemakersville, Pa./Hamburg) both finished the game with 2-for-3
efforts at the plate. Wenrich drove in two runs, while Johnson added an RBI and
scored two runs.
In the second game, Roger Williams scored two unearned runs in the bottom
of the first, two runs in the fifth and four in the bottom of the sixth inning
to earn an 8-0 shutout over the USM. Roger Williams senior pitcher Andrea
Gregory (Toms River, N.J.) spread out six hits over six innings of work to earn
the shutout, struck out three and walked just one. Sophomore DH Samantha Teves
(Somerset, Mass.) rapped out three hits, including a triple and a double, and
drove in two runs to lead the Hawks' attack.
Southern Maine freshman pitcher Larissa O'Connor (Farmington, Maine/Mt.
Blue) took the loss in her first collegiate start. O'Connor pitched well giving
up two earned runs on seven hits and four walks in five inning of work.
Southern Maine returns to action facing St. Lawrence University (9:00 a.m.)
and the University of Wisconsin-Superior (11:00 a.m.) at the Lee County Fields
in Fort Myers, Fla.
At Cape Coral, Fla.
Game 1 R H E
Albright (4-7) 003 011 5 7 3
Southern Maine (1-0) 000 238 13 18 1
Batteries: Albright, Dana Parolari, Rebecca Moist (6) and Danielle Perlin.
SM, Kristin Grondin and Sabrina Sevigny.
Winning Pitcher: Grondin (1-0) Losing Pitcher: Parolari (0-2)
2B: Albright, Crouse, Wenrich
3B: None
HR: None
RBI: Albright, Wenrich 2, Johnson, Keyes, McMurtie.
SM, Dixon 3, Grondin 3, Ford 3, Cusack 2, Mills, Stuart.
Repeat Hitters: Albright, Johnson 2, Wenrich 2.
SM, Mills 4, Stuart 4, Grondin, Sevigny, Cusack.
Game 2 R H E
Southern Maine (1-1) 000 000 0 6 1
Roger Williams (3-5) 200 024 8 10 0
Batteries: SM, Larissa O'Connor, Sarah Deroche (6) and Sevigny.
RWU, Andrea Gregory and Christine Bean.
Winning Pitcher: Gregory (2-2) Losing Pitcher: O'Connor (0-1)
2B: RWU, Teves
3B: RWU, Teves
HR: None
RBI: RWU, Teves 2, Nealon, Caprice, Burk, Bean.
Repeat Hitters: RWU, Teves
################################################################################
Monday, March 17, 2008
Dixon, Ford and Grondin Named USM Softball Captains
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior Kristina Grondin (Sanford, Maine) and juniors
Meghan Ford (Mechanic Falls, Maine/Poland Regional) and Anita Dixon (Limington,
Maine/Bonny Eagle) have been named captains of the 2008 University of Southern
Maine Huskies softball team. Veteran head coach Bonny Brown-Denico made the
announcement as the Huskies prepare for their annual spring trip to Fort Myers,
Florida.
Southern Maine, which began preparations for the upcoming season in
January, opens the 2008 campaign this week with 10 games in Florida. Last
season, the Huskies finished fourth in the Little East Conference with a
respectable 8-6 record and a 19-22 overall mark. Despite returning eight
players from last season, Southern Maine's roster will be young and
inexperienced. Only three of the eight returnees were regulars in the lineup
last season.
"Kristina, Meghan and Anita's leadership will be essential to the success
of our team this season," noted Brown-Denico who was named the 2007 Little East
Conference Coach of the Year. "They will be the anchors in our lineup. Their
experience and decision-making ability on and off the field will be vital to our
new and less experienced players."
A veteran outfielder, Ford returns to the Huskies lineup with two years of
experience. Last season, Ford played in 35 games, including 34 starting
assignments. One of Southern Maine's defensive leaders, Ford patrolled left and
right field for the Huskies' making just one error during the season for a .971
fielding percentage. She batted .191 with two doubles, one triple and six RBI.
The team's only senior, Grondin earned second team All-Little East
Conference in 2007. Transferring to Southern Maine from Dean College, Grondin
made an immediate impact in the circle and at the plate. Grondin finished the
2007 season with a 15-10 record and a pair of shutouts. As USM's top pitcher,
Grondin allowed 81 earned runs in 171.2 innings pitched for a 3.30 ERA with 87
strikeouts.
Offensively, Grondin provided the Huskies with power, batting .361 (44-for-
122). She led the team with 36 RBI, rapped out 16 doubles and five home runs,
and had a team-high .615 slugging percentage. Grondin's 16 doubles established
a new single-season record, while her RBI and home run (5) totals are second
most for a season.
An adept utility player, Dixon played seven different positions for the
Huskies in 2007, earning National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-New
England Third Team and second team All-Little East Conference honors in her
first season with Southern Maine. Dixon led Southern Maine offensively, batting
a team-high .423 with 52 hits in 123 at bats. Dixon posted a .537 slugging
percentage helped by 10 doubles, a pair of triples and 14 runs batted in.
Playing every position in the field except shortstop, pitcher and right field,
Dixon recorded a .925 fielding percentage with 64 putouts and 22 assists.
Picked to finish fifth for the third consecutive season in the Little East
Conference Coaches' Preseason Poll, Southern Maine begins its season Thursday
(9:00 a.m.) against Albright College in Florida. The Huskies will face Roger
Williams University later the same day (1:00 p.m.).
The remainder of the Huskies schedule in Florida is as follows: March 21,
St. Lawrence (9:00 a.m.) and Wisconsin-Superior (11:00 a.m.); March 22, SUNY-
Fredonia (9:00 a.m.) and Middlebury (11:00 a.m.); March 24, Alverno (9:00 a.m.)
and Oberlin (11:00 a.m.), and March 25, Otterbein (9:00 a.m.) and SUNY-Potsdam
(11:00 a.m.).
Upon their return to New England, the Huskies are scheduled to host Rhode
Island College in their Little East Conference and home opener on March 29 (1:00
p.m.) before closing out the month at Babson College for a doubleheader on March
30 (12:00).
Southern Maine's remaining regular season schedule includes doubleheaders
April 3 at the University of New England (3:30 p.m.); April 5, at Western
Connecticut (12:00 p.m.); April 8, St. Joseph's College (3:30 p.m.); April 10,
Salem State (3:30 p.m.); April 12, at UMass Dartmouth (1:00); April 13, at Colby
(1:00 p.m.); April 15, UMass Boston (3:30 p.m.); April 17, at Bowdoin (3:30
p.m.); April 19, Eastern Connecticut (1:00 p.m.); April 22, Plymouth State (3:30
p.m.); April 24, Bridgewater State (3:30 p.m.); April 26, at Keene State (1:00
p.m.); and April 28, at Bates (3:30 p.m.).
The Little East Conference tournament will take place May 1-3. The
conference's top six teams earn a spot into the double-elimination tournament
with the winner earning an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.
################################################################################
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
(Courtesy of the Little East Conference)
Western Connecticut Tops LEC Softball Coaches Preseason Poll
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Western Connecticut State University softball team
edged out Rhode Island College for the top spot in the 2008 Little East
Conference Softball Coaches' Preseason Poll, released by the conference office
this afternoon. The Colonials received four of the possible seven first place
votes and 45 total points, outpointing the Anchorwomen by just two markers to
enter the season as the preseason favorites.
All eight Little East Conference head coaches cast a vote in the annual
preseason coaches' poll, but were not allowed to select their own teams. Rhode
Island College received three first place votes, while Keene State College
earned the remaining selection.
Under the direction of Head Coach Heather Stone, Western Connecticut State
University captured the 2007 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New
England Tournament, and advanced to the championship round of the Little East
Conference Championship Tournament last spring. The 2007 Colonials' squad posted
an overall record of 28-13, placing second in the conference standings with a
10-4 mark. Stone welcomes back six position players and two starting pitchers
from last season, including the 2007 Little East Conference Co-Pitcher of the
Year Shelby Slie (Seymour, Conn.). Western Connecticut opens the 2008 slate in
Osceola, Fla. against Grove City on Friday, March 14.
Rhode Island College has advanced to the NCAA Tournament the past two
seasons as the Little East Conference automatic qualifier. Under the leadership
of Head Coach Maria Morin, the Anchorwomen won a program-best 41 games last
spring and claimed the 2007 NCAA New England Regional Tournament and the 2007
Little East Conference Championship Tournament. Rhode Island College boasts
three all-conference, first-team selections on its current roster, including
two-time Little East Conference Player of the Year Christie Lotti (Waterford,
Conn.). The Anchorwomen play their first 10 games of the season at the Rebel
Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla.
Keene State College earned an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament field
last season, sporting an overall record of 28-9. The Owls, under the direction
of Head Coach Charlie Beach, received a first place vote and 40 total points in
the preseason rankings. Keene State College returns seven seasoned positional
players and ace senior hurler Ashlee Nicolson (Swanzey, N.H.).
The second tier of the preseason standings includes Eastern Connecticut
State University, the University of Southern Maine, and Plymouth State
University, respectively. The Warriors and Huskies finished tied for fourth in
the Little East Conference last spring followed by the Panthers.
UMass Dartmouth and UMass Boston round out the 2008 conference preseason
coaches' rankings.
2008 Little East Conference Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
Rk. Tame (1st Place Votes) Points
1. Western Connecticut State University (4) 45 pts.
2. Rhode Island College (3) 43 pts.
3. Keene State College (1) 40 pts.
4. Eastern Connecticut State University 30 pts.
5. University of Southern Maine 26 pts.
6. Plymouth State University 20 pts.
7. University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 11 pts.
8. University of Massachusetts Boston 9 pts.
################################################################################
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