Baltimore, Md. - Senior leftfielder Kristi Troster went 3-for-3 with one run scored and one RBI to lead UMBC to a 6-2 win over UAlbany in America East Conference softball action on Monday, April 9. With the win, the Retrievers completed the series sweep of the Great Danes and improved to 19-8 overall and 4-2 in the conference. UAlbany drops to 16-11 and 1-5 in league play.
     UMBC got out to an 5-0 lead after posting runs in three straight innings. Junior pitcher Ashley Gray started the scoring for the Retrievers, knocking a two-run homer to left centerfield in the top of the second inning. Troster recorded her first hit of the day, a solo home run over the leftfield fence to put UMBC up by three runs. Right fielder Krista Kerns drove in another two runs for the Retrievers in the top of the fourth with a two-run shot to left.
     UAlbany scored its first run of the day in the bottom of the fourth frame, as shortstop Meagan Butsch scored on an RBI single by freshman right fielder Bailey Van Deest. The Great Danes posted another run in the bottom of the seventh when Michelle Connors recorded a sacrifice fly to send pinch runner Shane Pais across home plate.
     The Retrievers used a complete-game performance from Gray to hold off the UAlbany offense. Gray recorded her sixth win of the season, striking out seven in seven innings of work.
     UAlbany senior right-hander Casey Halloran took the loss for UAlbany, fanning six in four innings on the mound. Freshman Leah McIntosh tossed three innings of relief, striking out five and allowing one earned run. Centerfielder Nicole Kothe was the only player to record multiple hits for the Great Danes.
     UAlbany will return to action on Wednesday, as the team visits Vermont for a conference doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.
**************
UMBC (19-8, AE 4-2) 021 201 0 - 6 10 2
UAlbany (16-11, AE 1-5) 000 100 1 - 2 6 0
Ashley Gray and Krissy Lucursi.
Casey Halloran, Leah McIntosh (5) and Kat Smith.