April 5, 2009

Box Score

Orono, Maine - Stony Brook University's softball team managed just two hits off senior pitcher Jenna Balent as the Seawolves fell to Maine, 2-0, in the series finale on Sunday afternoon. Junior Alyssa Struzenberg (Cooper City, Fla.) recorded ten strikeouts for Stony Brook. The loss drops the Seawolves to 21-6 (5-1 America East) while Maine improves to 22-17 (3-4 America East).

Both offenses started slowly as neither team managed to move a runner past second base in the opening two innings. In the bottom of the third, the Black Bears mounted a two-out rally with a pair of singles, putting runners on the corners, but Struzenberg picked up her third strikeout of the inning, to keep the game scoreless.

Maine rallied again in the fourth, this time loading the bases on a single and two walks, but once against Struzenberg came up with a timely strikeout to keep the Black Bears off the board.

Unfortunately for Stony Brook, the third time was the charm as Maine finally capitalized in the fifth inning. A walk and a single put two runners on for Terren Hall, whose infield grounder was enough to score the runner from third base and put Maine ahead, 1-0. The following batter singled to left, extending Maine's lead to two.

That was more than enough for Balent, who despite five walks, picked up her fifth win of the season.

Stony Brook hosts a mid-week conference doubleheader against Hartford this Wednesday. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m.