Softball Downs Delaware, 6-2, With Four-Run Seventh
BOX SCORE
NEWARK, Del. -- Breaking a 2-2 stalemate with four runs in the top of the seventh inning, the University at Albany softball team overcame Delaware 6-2 on Friday afternoon at the Delaware Spring Invitational. With the win, the Great Danes improved to 4-6 on the season, while the Blue Hens fell to 11-7.
Sophomore pitcher Devin Durando (4-3) earned the win, tossing a complete game. Durando held Delaware to just two unearned runs and six hits, while striking out one.
Offensively, the Great Danes totaled six hits led by freshman McKenzie Bump's 2-for-4 effort with a run scored, while junior Liz Snow went 1-for-2 with two runs batted in.
UAlbany struck first in the top of the third, scoring two unearned runs off starter Carolyn Szymanski. Junior Mackenzie Cleary brought home Kelly Costello on a groundout to second, and senior Maggie Cocks crossed the plate on a wild pitch.
Durando held the Blue Hens without a hit until the fifth when Szymanski helped her own cause with a single to left. Delaware loaded the bases on an error and Shelby Jones' single to right set up an RBI groundout and RBI bunt single to tie the game, 2-2.
In the top of the seventh, UAlbany loaded the bases with one out as freshman Sarah Petzold drew a walk, junior Kayla Bailey laid down a bunt single, and Bump singled to second. Patient at the plate, Costello's walk brought in the go-ahead run and Cocks' hit by pitch brought in another for a 4-2 advantage. Snow tacked on a two-run single to left, giving the Danes a four-run lead.
Delaware put two on in their last at-bats, but Durando drew the final two fly outs of the game to secure the victory.
Szymanski (4-3) took the loss, giving up three runs (one earned) and three hits, while striking out five in 6.1 innings.
Up next, the Great Danes take on North Carolina A&T at 9:30 a.m. and Villanova at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday for day two of the Delaware Spring Invitational.
