Softball Shuts Out Hartford, 8-0, Earning No. 2 Seed In America East Tournament
BOX SCORE I AMERICA EAST TOURNAMENT BRACKET
ALBANY, N.Y. -- On Senior Day, the University at Albany softball team shut out Hartford 8-0 in five innings Saturday afternoon at Albany Field. With the win, the Great Danes improved to 30-16 overall and 11-6 in the America East to earn the No. 2 seed in the America East Conference Tournament to be played at Stony Brook's University Field, May 7-9.
Prior to the game, the team honored seniors Jess Tate, Alexa Toole, Marlin Solano, and Vicky McFarland.
“The seniors have been an amazing class on and off the field for us, “ said Head Coach Chris Cannata. “We have to try and keep playing as long as we can for them. It was a good day and we sent the seniors out in style.”
The Great Danes totaled eight hits in the victory, led by sophomore Samantha Broking's 2-for-2 effort, including her first career home run. Junior Kelly Costello also went 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Scoring in bunches, UAlbany took the lead for good in the bottom of the second plating four runs. Liz Snow reached on a hit by pitch, Solano walked, and Costello followed with a two-run double down the left field line. Advancing to third on Broking's single up the middle, Costello stole home on the throw down for a 3-0 advantage. Continuing the rally with one out, Kayla Bailey reached on fielder's choice and McFarland singled to right. With runners on the corners, Bailey and McFarland executed the double steal, giving the Danes a 4-0 lead.
In the fourth, UAlbany added four more runs, using four hits. Costello led off the inning with a single to center and Broking immediately followed with a blast over the left field wall. With the bases empty, senior Jess Tate singled up the middle, advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches, and scored on Maggie Cocks' two-run single to center that also plated senior Alexa Toole who had reached on a walk.
With the eight-run advantage, reliever Erynn Sobieski ended the game by mercy rule in the fifth, recording the final out with bases loaded to preserve the combined shut out.
Devin Durando (14-5) earned the win, allowing two hits and four walk, while striking out five in 4.0 innings. Sobieski tossed the last inning, allowing one hit and two walks.
For Hartford, Lexi Wilkerson (0-9) took the loss, allowing eight runs and eight hits, while striking out one in four innings of work.
Up next, the Great Danes travel to Stony Brook to take on No. 3 Binghamton at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 7 in the America East Conference Tournament. No. 1 Stony Brook will face No. 4 Maine prior to UAlbany's game at 1 p.m.
