Vestal, N.Y. -- Meghan Royle drove in five, including a bases loaded, walk-off triple in the fifth, to help lead No. 2 Maine to a 9-1 victory over No. 6 Hartford in America East Championship action on Thursday afternoon.

The Black Bears advance to take on No. 4 Albany on Friday at 11 a.m. in winners bracket action.

Royle finished the game 2-for-4 with a double, triple and five RBI while Rachel Carlson reached base four times with two hits, two walks and three runs. Felicia Lennon and Sarah Coyne each scored a pair of runs to help power the nine-run, nine-hit attack.

Hartford's pitching struggled in the first inning and the Black Bears took advantage. Maddie Decker drew a bases loaded walk to bring home Carlson with the first run of the game. Shortly after, a wild pitch allowed Lennon to score, giving Maine a 2-0 lead after one.

The Haws cut the lead in half when Dazalla came in on a wild pitch.

The Black Bears answered with four runs in the home half of the fourth. Royle plated two of her five RBIs when she stroked a double off the wall in left, bringing around Carlson and Coyne. The inning continued when Alyssa Derrick stroked a single to left, plating Royle. Erika Leonard slapped a base hit through the left side, scoring Lennon, and giving Maine a 6-1 lead after four.

Maine looked to put the game away in the fifth. The Black Bears again loaded the bases before Royle crushed a triple to left center. The shot cleared the bases as Maine walked off with a run-rule, 9-1 victory in the fifth.

Erin Bogdanovich picked up her sixth win of the season after giving up just one run and one hit and fanning three over 3.2 innings. Molly Flowers tossed 1.1 innings of no-hit, shutout relief with a pair of strikeouts.

The Black Bears take on Albany on Friday at 11 a.m. at the Binghamon Softball Complex.

-UMaine-