UAlbany Softball Claims Series With 5-3 Win Over Maine

Recap, photo courtesy of UAlbany

BOX SCORE

ALBANY, N.Y. – Coming from behind to score three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, the University at Albany softball team captured Sunday’s rubber game versus Maine, 5-3. With the victory, the Great Danes improved to 29-12 on the season and 9-1 in the America East, while the Black Bears fell to 19-17 overall and 7-4 in conference play.

“That was a great win for us today. Maine has great pitchers and they pretty much held our hitters in check all day yesterday,” said Head Coach Chris Cannata. “I’m really proud of the adjustments we made at the plate, and we stuck with our game plan all day. Devin battled today and came through big in some tough spots and our defense got some crucial outs when we needed them.”

Sophomore Devin Durando (15-5) earned the win, holding Maine to three runs and three hits, while
striking out five.

Offensively, the Great Danes totaled 11 hits in the contest led by sophomore Donna Conrad’s 3-for-4 performance with an RBI and two runs scored. Senior Kelly Costello (2-for-4) and junior Liz Snow (2-for-3) each had two hits in the key conference win.

For the third straight game, Maine struck first, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the third on Kristen Niland’s leadoff home run.

However, UAlbany responded with two runs in the bottom of the fourth, stringing together five straight hits. Snow led off with a single through the left side and Conrad followed with a single to center, but the ball got past Maine centerfielder Rachel Carlson, allowing pinch runner Shaye Swiatek to score and Conrad to slide into third.  Junior Mackenzie Cleary lined an RBI single through the left side for a 2-1 advantage.

The Black Bears tied it up on the first pitch of the fifth as Meghan Royle belted a leadoff home run over the left field fence. With two outs, Erika Leonard drew a walk and Rachel Carlson lined a triple down the left field, taking the lead 3-2.

However, the Danes got the bats going again in the fifth, starting the inning with three consecutive singles by senior Maggie Cocks, Snow, and Conrad, tying the score, 3-3. Freshman Chelsea Henige brought in the go-ahead run with an RBI groundout to second, and with the bases loaded, freshman McKenzie Bump drew an RBI walk for a 5-3 lead.

From there, the UAlbany defense held off the Black Bears, including a web gem by Cocks to end the game. 

Using three pitchers in the contest, reliever Annie Kennedy (5-4) took the loss, allowing three runs and five hits in one inning in the circle.

Up next, the Great Danes host Syracuse for a non-conference clash, Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.