Softball Drops Two On Final Day Of Winthrop Invitational

BOX ONE  I  BOX TWO

ROCKHILL, S.C. – Coming off a pair of wins, the University at Albany softball team wrapped up the Winthrop Invitational with a .500 record, falling to Furman, 4-2, and the hosting Winthrop Eagles, 8-2, on the final day of the play. The Great Danes now have a 5-4 record on the season.

After overcoming Furman, 7-1, on Saturday, the Paladins caught up with the Great Danes in Sunday morning's clash. In the bottom of the second Natalie Clemmons' leadoff home run gave Furman a 1-0 advantage.

The Paladins added to their lead in the third inning on a pair of back-to-back solo home runs by starting pitcher Lindsey Bert and shortstop Sieara Bishop, making the score 3-0.

The Great Danes broke onto the board in the top of the fifth, as Caitlin Cooper led off with a single up the middle and Vicky McFarland brought her in with an RBI rip to center.

However, Furman answered in the bottom half of the frame with their fourth solo home run of the contest -- Ambree Muller's leadoff shot over the right field wall.

In the top of the seventh, UAlbany looked to rally with two outs, as Kayla Bailey singled to short and McFarland took two on an error in center. However, that would be the final run of the game, as Bert drew a flyout to close the contest.

Bert (7-2) earned the win, allowing two runs and five hits, while striking out eight in the complete game.

For UAlbany Mackenzie Thompson (1-1) took the loss, allowing three runs and five hits, while striking out two in four innings of work. Freshman Nicole Parks tossed the final two innings in relief.

Offensively, McFarland, Maggie Cocks, Cooper, and Bailey accounted for UAlbany's four hits.

In game two, UAlbany took a 1-0 lead over Winthrop in the top of the first on McFarland's single and Elizabeth Snow's RBI fielder's choice. The Great Danes added another run in the third when McFarland led off with a single to short and stole second. Advancing on Kelly Costello's sacrifice bunt, McFarland scored on Cocks' sac fly to left.

From there, Winthrop held the Great Danes off the board the rest of the way. Batting around the order in the bottom of the third, the Eagles strung together seven singles and a pair of walks to take a 6-2 advantage.

In the sixth, Haley Zuehlke's two-run home run gave Winthrop an 8-2 lead.

Sutton Watson earned the win for the Eagles, allowing two runs (one earned) and three hits, while striking out four in seven innings.

For UAlbany, Erynn Sobieski (2-1) took the loss, getting tagged for six runs and six hits, while striking out two in 2.1 innings. Freshman Devin Durando came out of the pen for the final 3.2 frames, allowing two runs and four hits, while striking out four.

McFarland led the Great Danes at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

Up next, the Great Danes will compete in the Rebel Games in Winter Haven, Fla. March 12-17. There, UAlbany will play 10 games, facing Bucknell, Niagara, Hampton, Creighton, South Dakota, Saint Peter's, and Wisconsin-Green Bay.