MELBOURNE, Fla. - The Maple Leafs softball team finished off day one of five at the USSSA Space Coast Complex with two losses against a regional foe, Michigan-Dearborn. The Wolverines won game one 5-3 and game two 7-1 in the 2023 Space Coast Spring Games.

Goshen starter Esme Pico got in a jam early on in game one but then settled in. The Wolverines loaded the bases with two singles and a walk in the first, and Marisa Vermiglio was hit by a pitch to score the first run. Gabby Rolak walked during the next at-bat and Michigan-Dearborn led 2-0.

The Maple Leafs loaded the bases in the third and were able to cut the deficit in half. Kaylee Kates and Shea VanScoter hit singles, followed by a walk from Carissa Fillingame. Ella McLeod walked in a run to score Kates.

Michigan-Dearborn hit an RBI single in the fourth to go up 3-1. Pico's day on the mound was done after four innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits. The Wolverines scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth when Mia Nightingale doubled. In the final inning, Goshen battled back when McLeod reached base on an error by the shortstop and Shea VanScoter scored after hitting a single and stealing second. After another error in the inning, McLeod scored when Bianca Diamond hit an RBI double to right field. Goshen was down 5-3, but the game ended after a popup to the shortstop.

Shea VanScoter had three hits in four at-bats with a run and a stolen base. Liliana Herrera threw the last two innings for GC, allowing two runs but neither earned. She struck out two batters, walked none, and allowed three hits. Michigan-Dearborn's Lanie Ellinger threw all seven innings and struck out nine.

Goshen had eight hits in game two, but the Leafs struggled to string them together and create runs.

UM-Dearborn's Makenna Millhorn, hitting in the three-hole, hit an RBI double to left in the first that put the Wolverines, now the visiting team, on the board first. No runs were scored for either team until the top of the fourth when an RBI single made it 2-0 in favor of Michigan-Dearborn. They racked up more runs-producing singles in the fifth and sixth - three more hits that produced four runs. In the seventh they had one more run score from a fielder's choice.

Down 7-0, the Leafs fought back like the first game and scored a run in the final inning. Bianca Diamond singled to left, stole second advanced to third after a groundout. Kamille Badibanga entered the game for Goshen and hit an RBI single to score Diamond. 7-1 was the final score.

Sydni Uhlenberg allowed eight hits and only two strikeouts on the mound for Michigan-Dearborn, but the senior didn't walk any batters and allowed just one run. Alisyn Catenacci got the start for Goshen and allowed six earned runs over 5.1 innings. Grace Schmitt came in to pitch the final 1.2 innings.

Ellie Van Heerde went 2-3 with two doubles and Kaylee Kates went 2-4 with a double for GC. Goshen had four doubles in the game and had just two in their previous four competitions. The eight hits was the most they have had in a game this season.

On Tuesday, February 28, Goshen takes on Florida Memorial at 1:30 pm before facing #4 Southeastern at 4:00 pm.