McFarland Hits Milestones As Softball Clinches Spot In America East Tournament With Wins Over Hartford
BOX ONE I BOX TWO
ALBANY, N.Y. – Senior outfielder Vicky McFarland became the first player in University at Albany softball history to record 200 hits and 100 steals in her career, Friday afternoon at Albany Field. UAlbany swept the doubleheader over Hartford, winning 7-3 and 8-0 to clinch a spot in next week's America East Conference Tournament. With the victories, the Great Danes are now 29-16 overall and 10-6 in conference play, while Hartford fell to 3-42 on the season and 0-16 in the America East.
McFarland totaled four hits and two steals in the sweep, bringing her career totals to 201 hits and 100 steals.
In addition, junior Maggie Cocks knocked the 38th double of her career, tying the all-time record. With 63 and 62 hits respectively, McFarland and Cocks are in a race to break the all-time single-season hits record that stands at 65.
UAlbany never trailed in the doubleheader, jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the second in game one. With the bases loaded after Liz Snow was hit by a pitch, Kelly Costello doubled to center and Marlin Solano walked, senior Alexa Toole lined a two-run double and McFarland followed with a two-run single up the middle.
In the third, Cocks led off the inning with a solo home run over the left field wall. With one out, Costello singled through the right side and scored on Toole's RBI single to left, giving the Danes a 6-0 advantage.
With freshman pitcher Erynn Sobieski tossing a no-hitter through the top of the fifth, UAlbany looked to put the game away in the bottom half of the inning. The Great Danes loaded the bases with one out, and McFarland drew an RBI walk to make it a seven-run game. However, Hartford reliever Lexi Wilkerson recorded a strikeout to end the side, extending the contest.
In the sixth, Peyton Fisher broke up the no-hitter with a single up the middle, and the Hawks plated three on two more singles and a fielding error. Those would be the last runs of the game, as Sobieski got the final outs in the sixth and the seventh frames.
Sobieski (10-5) allowed just four hits and one earned run, while striking out four in the complete-game win.
Kelsey Bird (2-14) took the loss, allowing four runs and two hits in one inning in the circle.
Offensively, Toole led the Danes, going 2-for-2 with three RBIs and a run scored. Costello went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while McFarland when 1-for-3 with three RBIs.
In the nightcap, sophomore Mackenzie Thompson (6-3) threw a one-hit shutout, striking out five in six-inning mercy rule win.
“That's what we expected from our pitchers all along,” said Head Coach Chris Cannata. “Both of them had great outings and both had no-hitters into the fifth. We're going to be fine if we get that kind of pitching next week.”
The Great Danes scored one in the first on Snow's RBI single to left, and tacked on four more runs in the second, capped by Cocks' three-run triple to center.
In the fifth, Cocks led off with her record-tying double to center and scored on Snow's single up the middle. Costello followed with a single through the left side, and Solano belted an RBI double to the left-centerfield gap, giving the Danes a 7-0 advantage. The Hawks escaped the no-out jam, retiring the next three batters, but UAlbany ended the contest in the sixth.
McFarland led off with a double to right-center and with two-outs, Snow knocked her home with a walk-off single down the left field line.
Bianca Ross (0-15) took the loss, allowing four runs and four hits in 1.2 innings. Out of the pen, Wilkerson, allowed four runs and eight hits, while striking out three in the final four innings.
“Today was a good opportunity to get everyone some playing time, to be a part of Senior Weekend, and to get everybody ready for next week,” added Cannata.
The Great Danes close the regular season slate Saturday against Hartford at 12:30 p.m. Prior to the game, the team will honor its four seniors – Alexa Toole, Vicky McFarland, Jess Tate, and Marlin Solano.
