Oklahoma State tosses Black Bears from NCAA Regional
Oklahoma State bounced the University of Maine softball squad from the double-elimination Athens Regional 10-1 on Saturday after No. 16 Georgia bested the Black Bears 6-0 Friday.
UMaine, the America East champion, finished the season 28-21.
The squad’s lone senior, catcher Janelle Bouchard, capped off her career with two hits and an RBI — which was UMaine’s first-ever run in NCAA Regional action. Bouchard was the league Player of the Year and a National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Northeast Region Third Team selection.
Erika Leonard and Alyssa Derrick, the AE Rookie of the Year, also had hits for UMaine.
The Black Bears scored their run in the bottom of the fourth. Leonard began the rally with a bloop single to right to break up Oklahoma State’s no-hit bid. Rachel Carlson moved Leonard to second with a sacrifice bunt and Bouchard plated her with an RBI single to center.
Sophomores Molly Flowers and Annie Kennedy and junior Erin Bogdanovich — the league Pitcher of Year, Tournament Most Outstanding Player and National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Northeast Region Third Team selection — all threw for UMaine.
Game highlights are online.
Friday, the host Bulldogs scored two runs in the first inning and went on to blank UMaine 6-0.
Felicia Lennon, Carlson, Bouchard, Rachel Harvey and Maddie Decker all hit safely for the Black Bears. Bogdanovich allowed six runs (five earned) on nine hits. She fanned four and walked four.
Game highlights are online.
Sunday, Georgia advanced to an NCAA Super Regional with a 6-0 win over Oklahoma State. The Bulldogs will play No. 1 and two-time defending national champion Florida.