The University of Southern Maine women’s softball squad continued their winning ways on Wednesday April 21 as they stormed to a sweep of Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. The non-conference doubleheader sweep improved the powerful Lady Huskies record to 26-5-1 and increased their latest winning streak to four games.
Southern Maine was led by the senior 1-2 punch of Jesse Becher and Renee Heath who managed to supply five hits each.
In the opener, sophomore standout Katie Mainville continued to impress as she hurled a gem of a game. Mainville gracefully brought her trademark poise, focus and dominance to the hill as she stymied the Lady Babson batters for the duration of the contest. Mainville clearly proved that she is worthy of her recent recognition as last week’s Little East Conference Player of the Week and ECAC co-player of the week. Mainville struck out nine Babson batters while giving up a mere three base hits, walking one and allowing only one earned run in the 4-2 Husky triumph.
Mainville has served as a source of excitement for fans, players and coaches alike as she has cruised to an astounding record of 14-1. The sky may be Mainville’s only limit as she continues toying with her opposing batters. Coach Bonnie Brown-Denico enjoys coaching her team and that is evident by the amount of intensity that is brought to the field.
In the second game, junior talent Melissa Henderson had Babson under her spell as she took complete control of the hill. Hendersen hit her spots as she scattered five singles, struck out three and allowed only two walks on her way to emphatically claiming her 11th victory and 3rd shutout of the season.
Becher continued to flourish as she once again wreaked havoc on the bases.
She drew a 4th inning walk, stole second and scored a run as USM tallied 4 runs in the outburst. USM then saw another opponent fall victim to the eight run mercy rule as Babson failed to pose a threat and fell by a final tally of 8-0 in six innings.
Becher’s ability to manufacture runs has not gone unnoticed by the conference or the USM coaching staff as she was honored earlier in the season as Little East player of the week. Coach Bonnie Brown-Denico is very pleased to coach and help harvest a talent such as Becher.
“She’s just a great athlete in every sense of the word,” said Brown-Denico.
On Thursday April 22, the Huskies bettered their record to 28-5 with a sweep of in-state rival Bowdoin. Maineville fanned 11 batters in the opener, scattering two hits and guiding USM to a 3-0 win.
The Huskies took the second game 3-1.
Andrew Sparda can be contacted at [email protected]