The sweep gives Southern Maine its fourth consecutive victory and improves its overall record to 6-8 on the season.  Salem State sees its two-game win streak halted and drops to 6-14 with the losses.  It is the first time since the 2007 season that the Huskies have won four straight games and the first time since the 2009 season that Southern Maine has swept the Vikings.

Stockwell earned her fifth win of the season leading USM to the 4-3 win in the second game.  Stockwell fired seven solid innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits and three walks.  She struck out four.  Freshman Desiree Benner (Friendship, Maine/Medomak Valley) picked up her first collegiate win in the first game, allowing four earned runs in six innings. Benner yielded seven hits and six walks while striking out four.  Stockwell came on in relief of Benner in the seventh to earn her first save as the Huskies defeated Salem State 6-4. 

In the opener, Southern Maine rallied from a 4-3 deficit with a three-run top of the seven to secure the win. Salem State took the lead from the Huskies in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI double from sophomore Rebecca Krigman (Malden, Mass.) and an RBI single from senior Paige Fleming (Methuen, Mass.).  After a scoreless sixth inning, USM combined for three runs on three hits in the top of the seventh.  Rookie Samantha DiBiase (South Portland, Maine) doubled in the game-tying and go-ahead runs to plate Stockwell and freshman Samantha Crosman (South Berwick, Maine/Marshwood).  Crosman led off the inning being hit by a pitch, while Stockwell stroked a pinch-hit double to set the table.

The Huskies added an insurance run with the next batter as sophomore Megan Scavetta (Damariscotta, Maine/Lincoln Academy) stroked the Huskies' third double of the inning to bring DiBiase home. With the 6-4 lead, Stockwell came on in relief of Benner to close the game.  After giving up a lead off walk, Stockwell forced a double play and then recorded an infield pop-up to earn the save.

In the second game, Crosman, DiBiase and freshmen Emily York (Belgrade, Maine/Messalonskee) and Danni Humphrey (Walnut Creek, Calif./Northgate) each drove in runs to back up a strong effort from Stockwell. Crosman drove in the Huskies' first run of the game with an RBI double in the top of the second, while Humphrey, York and DiBiase each drove in runs in the top of the fifth.  Humphrey and York each had RBI singles while DiBiase worked her way at the plate for an RBI walk.

Ahead 4-0 through four and a half innings, Salem State hit back for two runs in the bottom of the fifth as freshman Bobbie Dee Regan (Lynn, Mass./Lynn Classical) cranked out a two-run home run to make it 4-2.  The Huskies' bats were silent in the top of the sixth, while Stockwell retired the Vikings in order in the bottom of the inning, as the score remained 4-2 in favor of USM. 

The Huskies' threatened for more runs in the top of the seven and had the bases loaded after a DiBiase single, but Salem State was able to get the final out on a pop up to end the threat.  Salem State made it a one-run game in its final at bat.  A lead off double from senior Michelle Flower (Reading, Mass.) and some heads up base running gave the Vikings a runner on third with no outs.  After Stockwell forced an infield pop-up, Vikings' sophomore Cara Crowley (Lynn, Mass./Lynn English) connected on an RBI sacrifice fly to right field to score Flower making it 4-3 with two outs.  Stockwell allowed another walk, before getting a fly out from Regan to end the game.

Southern Maine travels to Western Connecticut State on Saturday (12:00 p.m.) for a Little East Conference doubleheader.  Salem State hosts MCLA in a MASCAC doubleheader on Saturday (1:00 p.m.).

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