Albany, N.Y. - Gina Mason hit a solo homer in the first game and then drove a three-run shot to center field in game two, leading UAlbany to a doubleheader sweep of UMBC in America East Conference softball action on Friday afternoon at Albany Field. The Great Danes defeated the Retrievers, 3-0, in the early game, before posting a 10-2 win in six innings in the nightcap.

            In game one, UAlbany broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth inning on a ground out RBI by Lauren Alcorn that scored Mason. The Great Danes added single runs in each of the next two frames, as catcher Kylie Apostolina drove a solo homer over the fence in left to lead off the fifth, and Mason connected for her first four-bagger of the day in the sixth.

            Brittany Schweiger earned the win in the circle for UAlbany, tossing a complete game, allowing just one hit and striking out eight opposing batters. Stephanie Weigman also went the distance for UMBC, fanning five while scattering five hits.

            In the nightcap, the Great Danes took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first, getting RBI singles from Apostolina and Jess Bergin, while Diane MacDowell and Katie Wambold both scored unearned runs. UMBC got one run back in the top of the third, as Lauren Brummell recorded an RBI single to score Jessica Warner. However, the Great Danes extended their lead in the fourth on Mason's three-run shot.

            Brummell accounted for UMBC's final run in the sixth, leading off with a double to center, before coming home on a sacrifice fly by Katie Ferguson. UAlbany followed with three runs in the bottom of the frame to complete the doubleheader sweep. Mason tripled down the right filed line to drive in pinch runner Alison Haan, before Melissa Herndon singled up the middle sending Mason home for the second time in the game. Bergin drove in the last run needed with a single into right, scoring Herndon.

            Brittany MacFawn tossed all six innings for the Great Danes, scattering four hits and striking out two. Heather Brown took the loss in the circle for the Retrievers, going five innings with four strikeouts and ten hits.

            UAlbany (19-18, AE 10-1) and UMBC (20-20, AE 5-9) will return to action on Saturday for the finale of the three-game series.

-agate-

Game One

UMBC                           000       000       0          -           0          1          1

UAlbany                        000       111       x          -           3          5          1

            UMBC: Stephanie Weigman and Angela Yannone.

            UAlbany: Brittany Schweiger and Kylie Apostolina.

Game Two

UMBC (20-20, AE 5-9)                001       001       -           2          4          5

UAlbany (19-18, AE 10-1)           400       303       -           10         11         0

            UMBC: Lauren O'Malley, Heather Brown (1), Katie Ferguson (6) and Angela Yannone.

            UAlbany: Brittany MacFawn and Kylie Apostolina.

UAlbany 3, UMBC 0 (Apr 22, 2011)

Score by Innings                  R  H  E
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UMBC................ 000 000 0 -  0  1  1
Albany.............. 000 111 X -  3  5  1
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Score by Innings                R  H  E
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UMBC................ 001 001 -  2  4  5
Albany.............. 400 303 - 10 11  0
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