BOX SCORE

ORONO, Maine – University of Hartford freshman Kaitlyn Meade was superb inside of the circle, notching her second career shutout to lead the Hawks to a 2-0 defeat of conference-foe Maine in the final contest of a three-game set and both teams' 2011 season finale. Hartford, which took two of three at Kessock Field, concludes its season with a mark of 10-34 (4-14 AE) while the Black Bears close out their campaign at 18-31 with a mark of 7-10 in the America East.

Hartford shortstop Melani Maxwell drove in one and scored once to pace the Hawks in the rubber match while Meade scattered just four hits and struck out one to earn her first clean slate as a collegian.

The Hawks got to work early and plated the only runs it would need to secure the win in the second inning. Nicole Springer got the scoring started for the visitors, doubling to lead off the frame and coming around to score when classmate Maxwell ripped a triple deep into the corner. Following a walk by Chelsey Mooney that placed runners on the corners, Genevieve Morneau-Vaillaincourt, a freshman, launched a slow dribbler to second base allowing Maxwell to double the Hawks' advantage to 2-0.

Meade worked out of jams in the bottom of the fourth and sixth frames as the Black Bears managed base runners to reach the hot corner in each stanza. Hartford's defense clamped down in the fourth, picking off Eberhardt at third base to end the inning without any damage done to the scoreboard. In the sixth, Meade preserved the shutout, forcing Burnham into a fielder's choice to grab the final out. Maine threatened again in its final at-bats as McLain pinch hit with one out. After singling, she advanced to second and reached third on a sacrifice bunt before Meade closed the door on Maine by forcing MacDowell into a ground out to earn the 2-0 victory.

Hartford loses Lauren Kamena to graduation.