Baltimore, Md.- Vicky McFarland's 2-for-3 performance, which included four stolen bases, was not enough for UAlbany as it fell to UMBC, 4-3, on Monday, March 26. A two-run rally in the bottom of the seventh by the Retrievers ended the Great Danes' three-game winning streak. UAlbany falls to 13-7 overall and 2-1 in the conference while UMBC improves to 12-14 overall and 1-2 in the conference.
Brittany MacFawn (6-3) went 6.1 innings, allowing just four runs (two earned) on seven hits and striking out seven.
UAlbany's (13-7, 2-1 AE) Vicky McFarland led off the contest with a single down the left side. She then swiped second and third to move into scoring position for Taylor Franich. Franich drove in McFarland on a fielder's choice to second to go up 1-0.
UMBC (12-14, 1-2 AE) responded in the bottom half of the first with a leadoff single passed the shortstop by Jessica Warner. Caitlin Chance moved Warner over to second with a sacrifice bunt. Courtney Paone got on with a walk, Katie Ferguson followed with an RBI single to left field, which drove in Chance and Paone would score, as well, on a throwing error by Diane MacDowell to put the Retrievers up 2-1.
The Great Danes' Alexa Toole would reach on a walk in the top of the second then score on a throwing error by UMBC's pitcher Katie Ferguson to tie the game at two. Then in the top of the sixth, MacDowell would score, the unconventional way, by reaching on a single passed the third basemen, steal second, advance to third on a pass ball then score on a wild pitch to grab the late-lead 3-2.
The Retrievers would create a rally in the bottom of the seventh as pinch-hitter Kayla Margentino led off with a walk. Margentino was replaced with pinch-runner Amanda Damiano who would advance to second on a single to left from Katrina Gaar. Damiano would move 90-feet closer to home on a throwing error by Brittany MacFawn. Jessica Warner would deliver the game-tying RBI on a single to right center and move Gaar to third.
After a pop up to third and an intentional walk Taylor Hall, Courtney Paone would drive the ball to right field in which Taylor Franich would misplay to allow Katrina Gaar to score the winning run.
UAlbany will continue its 2012 schedule on Thursday, March 29 against Siena in a doubleheader at Albany Field. First pitch schedule for 2:30 p.m.
