Orono, Maine- Leigh Ann Hlywak (Wilmington, Del./ St. Mark's) went 2-for-2 and belted her 11th home run of the season to lead the University of Maine softball team to a 5-0 victory over Colby College at Kessock Field in Orono, Maine on Wednesday afternoon. With the win, Maine improves to 23-28 on the season while Colby falls to 13-13-2.

Already ahead 1-0, the Black Bears scored three runs in the bottom of the third inning on three hits and three Colby errors. Jessica Brady (Jackman, Maine/ Forest Hills) reached on an error by the Colby second baseman. She advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a wild pitch. Sara Asadoorian (Whitinsville, Mass./ Northbridge HS) scored the second run on the inning when she walked and scored when Hlywak singled to left field. Hlywak crossed the plate when Melissa Mather (Wilmington, Mass./ Wilmington HS) singled to left field. Hlywak homered in the bottom of the fifth inning to close out the scoring for the Black Bears.

Colby loaded the bases in the top of the seventh inning with three hits and a Maine error, but were unable to score. Carrie Morin (Augusta, Maine/ Cony) led the way for the White Mules with two hits on the afternoon. Wendy Bonner (Lexington, Mass./Lexington) and Elizabeth Riley (Saco, Maine/ Thornton Academy) had the two other hits for the Mules.

Jenna Merchant (Sandy, Utah/ Jordan) pitched four innings and did not allow a hit as she improves to 17-10 on the season. Nikki Taylor (Chelsea, Maine/ Cony) relieved Merchant in the fifth inning and pitched up her first save of the year. Amy Lisavich (Chelmsford, Mass./Chelmsford HS) pitched two and a third innings for Colby and picked up the loss. She falls to 1-5 on the year.

SCORING - R H E

COLBY - 0 4 3

UMAINE - 5 4 4

WP: J. Merchant (17-10); LP: A. Lisavich (1-5)

BATTERIES: COLBY - Lisavich, Emerson (3), Robbins (4), Caswell (6) to Riley; UMAINE - Merchant, Taylor (5) to Bain