– From staff and news services

ORONO – The University of Maine advanced to the second round of the America East softball tournament Thursday with a 5-1 victory over Stony Brook.

The third-seeded Seawolves (29-30-1) took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Crista Cerrone lined a double to left and scored on a two-out single by Katelyn O’Donnell.

The second-seeded Black Bears (23-26) scored all their runs in the third. Back-to-back RBI doubles by Whitney Spangler and Terren Hall gave Maine a 2-1 lead. Kristen Calvetti followed with a two-run homer, and Margaret Hilton added an RBI single to complete the rally.

Maine starter Cayleigh Montano allowed six hits in five innings before Beth Spoehr pitched two perfect innings.

BASEBALL

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USM 9, UMASS-DART-MOUTH 7: The sixth-seeded Huskies (20-20-1) scored two runs in the sixth inning and held on to beat the fifth-ranked Corsairs (20-19) in an elimination game at the Little East tournament in Mansfield, Conn.

Southern Maine will play either second-seeded Keene State or fourth-seeded UMass-Boston at 4:30 p.m. today, trying to stay alive in the double-elimination tournament.

The Huskies got the two runs in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Nick Grady and a single by Tucker White.

The Corsairs scored a run in the ninth and had runners on first and third when the Huskies got the final out.

Roberto Valenti, Mike Eaton and Collin Henry each had two hits for USM. White and Henry had two RBI apiece.

Nick Hahn pitched the final 52/3 innings for the win, allowing five hits and three walks while striking out three.

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The Huskies lost their opening game 10-2 against top-seeded Eastern Connecticut State (29-11). Grady singled home both USM runs.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

KENTUCKY: Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart said he views reports that NBA teams are pursuing Coach John Calipari as a compliment for the remarkable job Calipari has done reviving the Wildcats.

“I think that any time you’ve got a coach of his quality, there’s going to be conversations about that,” Barnhart said.

Barnhart said he’s not worried Calipari will bolt for the pros.

“I’m very confident he’s going to be our coach next year,” he said. “He’s made comments to me that he wants to be here a long time.”

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Calipari led the Wildcats to a 35-3 record in his first year of an eight-year contract that averages just under $4 million.

 

TEXAS: Guard Varez Ward and forward Shawn Williams have been granted medical hardship waivers from the Big 12 for last season, allowing them to keep a year of eligibility.

 


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