Softball Splits Third Day At Rebel

Creighton Box Score ǀ Howard Box Score

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – On the third straight day of competition at the Rebel Spring Games, the University at Albany split their two contests Saturday, bringing their tournament record to 4-2 through the first six games.  The Danes lost their first game to Creighton early Saturday morning 7-2, and turned around to beat Howard 11-3.

UAlbany (6-4) was held scoreless in the first game against Creighton until the top of the seventh inning, when Marlin Solano scored on a sacrifice fly by Alexa Toole.  The Danes then loaded the bases before Kelly Costello grounded into a double play to end the game.  Emily Ostrom started the game on the mound for UAlbany.  Caitlin Cooper relieved Ostrom, pitching three innings and striking out eight giving up two earned runs.  

In the second game, UAlbany scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning.  Vicky McFarland scored on a single by Maggie Cocks.  Costello was forced in on a four-pitch, bases-loaded walk to Cooper.  Solano, the next batter, reached on a fielder's choice to shortstop, scoring Cocks.  Finally, Jess Tate drove in Elizabeth Snow on a sacrifice fly.

UAlbany scored three more runs in the second inning.  Cocks reached base on a groundball error to third, scoring McFarland and Costello, with Cocks making it all the way to third.  After Charlise Castro grounded out to third, Snow doubled to third, scoring Cocks.

The Danes added four more runs in the bottom of the fourth.  Cooper grounded out to shortstop, scoring Cocks and advancing Kayla Bailey to third and Ostrom to second.  Solano, the next batter, reached base on a ground ball to shortstop, scoring Bailey and advancing Ostrom to third.  Two batters later, Kate Biasi reached on a ground ball error to first, advancing Solano to second.  McFarland then doubled to center, scoring Ostrom and Solano, and advancing Biasi to third.  After four innings, UAlbany held an 11-0 lead.  The game was called after the top of the fifth, where Howard scored three runs to make the final score 11-3.  McFarland ended the day a perfect 4-4 at the plate.  Mackenzie Thompson, the UAlbany starting pitcher, held a perfect game until the fifth inning.

Sunday, the Danes will enjoy a day off before playing two games against Army on Monday.