MANSFIELD, Conn. – Southern Maine dropped into the losers’ bracket of the Little East Conference baseball tournament Thursday with a 6-3 defeat to UMass-Dartmouth in the second round.

The Corsairs (25-13) took control in the fourth inning when Doug Hittinger ripped a two-run home run to erase a 2-1 deficit.

Corsairs pitching limited the Huskies (29-12-1) to six singles. Brandon Brewer, with two singles and two walks, was the lone USM player with more than one hit.

Forced to win their remaining games to earn a bid to the NCAA tournament, USM faces Keene State Friday at 3:30 p.m.

Maine 1, Albany 0

ORONO – Jenna Merchant scattered 10 hits as Maine defeated top-seeded Albany 1-0 in the second game of the America East Softball Champsionship Thursday.

The Black Bears (26-20) scored the only run of the game in the second inning when Lindsey Tibbetts singled to right center to plate Erin Provost, who had reached on an error.

with one out. Merchant advanced Provost with a sacrifice bunt and following a walk to Lauren Dulkis, Provost stole third. Lindsey Tibbetts then plated Provost with a single to right center.

The Great Danes (34-17) threatened in several innings, but Merchant managed to pitch herself out of danger and receive a couple of superb plays to cut down the runner at home.

Copy the Story Link