Softball Sweeps On Final Day At Rebel Games
ST. PETER'S BOX I GREEN BAY BOX
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Extending the winning streak to six games, the University at Albany softball team run ruled St. Peter's, 8-0 in five, and edged Wisconsin Green Bay, 2-1, for the second straight day at the Rebel Games. UAlbany went 5-2 at the five-day tournament, improving their record to 12-7 on the season.
“I'm happy with the way we made the adjustments that we needed to from the beginning of the week to end,” said head coach Chris Cannata. “It's been a long couple of weeks on the road. I know the kids were tired but they played with a lot of heart.”
In Tuesday's opener, UAlbany took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, sparked by Vicky McFarland's leadoff double down the left field line. She scored on Maggie Cocks' RBI single up the middle and Kelly Costello brought in Cocks, belting a triple to the centerfield gap. With two outs, Elizabeth Snow drew a walk and baited the defense with a rundown between first and second, allowing Costello to score before the third out.
In the second inning, Jess Tate led off with a walk, Lindsey Haskell lined a single through the left side, and McFarland followed with a three-run home run over the left-centerfield fence, giving the Great Danes a 6-0 advantage.
Leading off the top of the fourth, Haskell belted a solo shot over the left field wall, lifting UAlbany to a seven-run lead, and in the top of the fifth, an unearned run gave the Danes' an 8-0 advantage. With two outs, Samantha Broking and Donna Conrad lined back-to-back singles, plating Jules Holbert who reached on a fielder's choice.
UAlbany pitcher Mackenzie Thompson (2-2) sat the Peacocks down in order in the bottom of the fifth to pick up the mercy rule win. Thompson held St. Peter's to three scattered hits and struck out three in the complete-game shutout.
Crystal Carlucci (0-5) took the loss, allowing seven runs and eight hits, while striking out one in three innings. Out of the pen, Alyssa Ruiz tossed the final two frames, allowing a run and two hits.
At the plate, the Great Danes accrued 10 knocks, led by Haskell (2-for-2), Broking (2-for-2), and McFarland (2-for-3).
In the finale, UAlbany jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second, using aggressive base running and a couple Green Bay miscues. Snow led off with a single through the left side. On Costello's sacrifice bunt, the ball was thrown down the right field line and Snow rounded third for home, while Costello baited the infield between first and second. Snow was tagged out, but Costello advanced to third on the wild play and scored on Mackenzie Cleary's misplayed fly ball to center.
The Phoenix evened the score, 1-1, in the top of the third on Allie Hislope's solo home run over the left field fence.
In the bottom of the fifth, Alexa Toole's inside the park home run lifted the Danes to a 2-1 advantage. Despite facing bases loaded and two outs in the top of the seventh, the UAlbany infield worked its way out of the jam to secure the victory.
“Erynn got a lot of ground balls for us and the defense played really well behind her,” added Cannata.
Sobieski (4-2) earned the win, allowing just one run and five hits, while striking out five in seven innings.
Heather Sanderson took the loss for the Phoenix, allowing two runs (one earned) and four hits, while striking out seven.
Offensively, Toole, Solano, Snow, and Costello represented the Danes' four hits.
Up next, UAlbany travels to Emmitsburg, Md. to compete in Mount St. Mary's tournament March 20-22.
