Auburn, ME – CMCC softball could not dig out of early holes in its doubleheader against rival SMCC, falling by scores of 9-1 in game one and 9-6 in game two on Tuesday night in Auburn.

Game One, 9-1 L

The Seawolves hung a crooked number on the scoreboard in the top of the first, with the first nine batters reaching successfully, and knocking starting pitcher Brooke Gero out of the game.

Delanie Perry delivered a two-RBI double into center field. Back-to-back triples by Sarah Wilkins and Taylor Swift then made it 6-0. Lola Donahue and Cameron Crerar both delivered hits into the outfield to make it 8-0 before Madison Boynton came on in relief.

The Mustangs pulled a run back in the bottom of the second. With the bases loaded, Sam Withee came home on a wild pitch, but CMCC was unable to plate any more with SMCC pitcher Sarah Wilkins recording back-to-back strikeouts.

Central Maine put together another opportunity in the bottom of the third with two runners on and only one out, but Withee's line drive was snagged by Donahue who flipped to first for the double play.

In the top of the fifth, Ella Voth scored on a passed ball, and with an eight-run lead, the Seawolves retired the side in order in the bottom half of the inning to end the game early.

Game Two, 9-6 L

SMCC once again came out strong to start game two, scoring three runs in the top of the first. It was deja-vu for Perry who hit another two-RBI double into center field, scoring Olivia Hill and Aubrey McElhaney. Mariah Gates worked her way to third base, and scored on a ground out down the line to make it 3-0.

Miah Gallan beat out an infield ground ball with two outs to plate Emily Libby in the bottom of the third to pull the Mustangs within two runs. But the Seawolves responded with two more in the top of the fourth to take a 5-1 lead.

A little small ball and some CMCC errors allowed two more runs in the top of the fifth before the Central Maine bats came to life. Olivia Gallan and Keira Green drew walks and got into scoring position with stolen bases before Miah Gallan smashed a bases clearing triple to cut the deficit to 7-3. She then scored on a Withee ground ball to give the Mustangs some hope.

However, a speedy inside the park home run by Crerar in the top of the sixth, and Gates scoring on a wild pitch in the top of the seventh left CMCC with a big hill to climb down 9-3. The Mustangs responded by getting runners on base with Withee and Gallan coming home on a Boynton ground out. Alivia Field and Madison Anderson drew walks to load the bases with two outs, but Emily Libby struck out to end the late rally.

Sloan Scotvold picked up the win for SMCC, pitching 6.2 innings before Wilkins came on in relief to face the last two batters.

CMCC and SMCC see each other once more in the fall softball schedule, with the Seawolves playing host to a doubleheader next Tuesday, September 24th. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 pm in South Portland.