Woodstock, Ga. ? Leah McIntosh pitched her second perfect game this spring and extended her shutout streak to 35.2 innings in leading the UAlbany softball team to a 10-0 win over Bowling Green at Georgia Tech's Buzz Classic on Saturday, March 7. The Great Danes also dropped a 6-1 decision to Kennesaw State later in the evening.

            UAlbany added six runs in the bottom half of the first inning in the opener against Bowling Green (4-7). Andrianna Walraven, who hit her first career home run yesterday, led off the frame by going yard again down the left field line. UAlbany then recorded four singles and a walk to go ahead 4-0 to chase pitcher Melissa Bott away from the game before an out could be recorded. The fifth run was plated on a wild pitch, and the sixth came home on Kristine Bill's second single of the inning. The frame ended when Kat Smith, who has now caught five no-hitters and two perfect games, was gunned down at home by center fielder Lindsay Arney.

            The Great Danes added their final four runs in the bottom of the second. With two runners in scoring position, Gina Mason singled through the left side to score Meagan Butsch and Michelle Connors. Pinch running for Mason, Diane MacDowell came home for the Great Danes' ninth run when Jess Bergin grounded out to second. A sacrifice fly to left scored Bailey Van Deest to seal the final outcome.

            UAlbany's McIntosh recorded nine strikeouts on the mound to improve to 7-0 this season. She also became the first Great Dane pitcher to hurl two perfect games in the program's Division I era. It was the junior's sixth shutout of the season, and her earned run average now stands at 0.20. Bott was credited with the loss and fell to 1-1 this year. She surrendered six runs while allowing seven hits and three walks in two innings. Zada Lines also pitched two innings, giving up four runs, three hits and two walks.

            In the second game, Kennesaw State (8-11) got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second on a sacrifice fly to center by Jenna Closner. However, UAlbany was able to tie the game up in the top of the third when Walraven hit her third home run of the tournament.

            The Owls answered back and put the game out of reach by plating five runs in the fourth inning. A single by Kelsey Kulk put Kennesaw State up by a run, On the next play, Jamie Kekaualua hit a two-run triple to center field to make it 4-1. Klair Wells singled in the fifth run for the Owls, and a sacrifice bunt by Hollie Huffman which scored Lyndsay McCurry gave her team all the insurance it would need the rest of the way.

            UAlbany's Marissa Powell took the loss and fell to 2-7 this spring. She gave up nine hits, six runs which were all earned and two walks while striking out two. Kennesaw April Harper won her first collegiate game, improving to 1-2 on the year. She fanned three batters while allowing only three hits and an earned run.

            UAlbany (9-7) will play its final game at Georgia Tech's Buzz Classic on Sunday, March 8 against Akron at 11 a.m.

-agate-

            Bowling Green (4-7)                    000       00         0          0          1

            UAlbany                                    640       0x         10         10         0         

            Game was called due to eight-run rule.

            UAlbany: Leah McIntosh and Kat Smith.  Bowling Green: Melissa Bott and Katelynn Boso.

            UAlbany (9-7)                            001       000       0          1          3          0

            Kennesaw State (8-11)               010       500       x          6          9          0

            UAlbany: Marissa Powell and Kat Smith. Kennesaw State: April Harper and Jenna Closner.

UAlbany 10, Bowling Green 0 (5 inn.) (March 07, 2009 at Woodstock, Ga.)

The Automated ScoreBook
Bowling Green vs Albany
Mar 07, 2009 at Woodstock, Georgia (Twin Creeks)

Score by Innings               R  H  E
--------------------------------------
Bowling Green....... 000 00 -  0  0  1
Albany.............. 640 0X - 10 10  0
--------------------------------------

Kennesaw State 6, UAlbany 1 (March 07, 2009 at Woodstock, Ga.)

Score by Innings                  R  H  E
-----------------------------------------
Albany.............. 001 000 0 -  1  3  0
Kennesaw State...... 010 500 X -  6  9  0
-----------------------------------------