Softball Splits Doubleheader With Cornell
Game 1 Box Score │ Game 2 Box Score
ITHACA, N.Y. – The threat of inclement weather forced the rescheduling of two series for the University at Albany softball team this week. The first, against Colgate, was pushed to next week, while the second, against Cornell, was only pushed by a day. The Danes (20-10, 8-3) won the first game against the Big Red (14-20), but lost the second.
Brittany MacFawn (11-5) once again pitched a complete game for the Danes, allowing three runs on eight strikeouts and one walk. UAlbany scored early, but traded runs with Cornell through the second inning, after which the score was knotted at two runs apiece. Charlise Castro drove Vicky McFarland in from second in the top of the first, after McFarland reached safely on a fielding error by Cornell's shortstop, and then advanced to second on a failed pickoff attempt. McFarland then recorded an RBI of her own in the top of the second, driving in Lauren Alcorn from third on a groundout to second base. Alcorn had reached on a fielder's choice that put Marlin Solano out at second. Alcorn then stole second and advanced to third two batters later when Alexa Toole drew a walk.
UAlbany scored two runs in the top of the third to break the 2-2 tie. Maggie Cocks led off the inning with a walk, and Castro flied out to center. Elizabeth Snow, coming off her second America East Rookie of the Week award, then hit a two-run home run to center field, giving the Danes a 4-2 lead.
The top of the fourth inning saw UAlbany really break the game open. After Toole struck out swinging to lead off the inning, McFarland hit a double to center. Kelly Costello then hit a single through the left side, which advanced McFarland to third. Costello herself advanced to second on the throw. Cocks then hit a two-run double to center, scoring McFarland and Costello. After Castro flied out to center, Snow hit a double to left, allowing Cocks to score from second, giving the Danes a 7-2 lead.
Cornell would add one more run in the bottom of the seventh inning, bringing the final score to 7-3. Snow hit 2-4 with one run scored and three RBIs. Cocks hit 2-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs. McFarland hit 1-5 with two runs scored and one RBI.
Caitlin Cooper (2-0) started the second game for UAlbany, which was a decidedly closer affair. She pitched 6.0 innings, giving up five runs with two strikeouts and two walks. The Danes were shutout through the first three innings, and Cornell scored two runs in the bottom of the first to take an early lead. In the top of the fourth, Snow led off with a double to center, and scored on an RBI single by Castro. Solano grounded out to shortstop, allowing Castro to advance to second. Alcorn hit a ground-rule double to center, driving Castro in to score, and tying the game at two.
UAlbany scored three runs in the top of the fifth to take a 5-2 lead. McFarland led off the inning with a single to short stop. Costello flied out to right. With Cocks at the plate, McFarland stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error by Cornell's catcher. Cocks then hit a two-run home run to left field. Snow followed up the home run with a double to right-center, and was subsequently pinch-run for by Kate Biasi. After Castro struck out, Solano hit a single up the middle, scoring Biasi from second.
Cornell tied the game at five with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. UAlbany immediately responded with two runs in the top of the seventh, opening up a 7-5 lead. Cocks led off the inning with a base hit through the left side, and Snow followed with her second home run of the day, a two-run shot down the left field line. Mackenzie Thompson (5-2) came in to relieve Cooper, but Cornell managed to score three runs in the bottom of the inning to take the second game 8-7. Snow hit 4-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs, bringing her total to five for the day. Cocks hit 3-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs of her own, bringing her total on the day to four.
UAlbany will have the Easter weekend off and will return to practice on Monday in preparation for their road doubleheader against Colgate on Tuesday, April 22.
