Cleary, Henige Homers Lift Softball To Day One Split At Winthrop Invitational

BOX ONE  I  BOX TWO

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Ending up on the wrong side of an 8-0 no-hitter by No. 16 Kentucky, the University at Albany softball team bounced back to swipe a 12-10 victory over the hosting Winthrop Eagles in the nightcap, Friday at Terry Field. With the day one split at the Winthrop Invitational, the Great Danes are now 2-4 on the season.

In game one, Kentucky used a six-run first inning, highlighted by Brooklin Hinz's grand slam and Christian Stoke's solo home run, to take the lead for good.

The Wildcats added a run in the third and one in the bottom of the fifth to end the game, 8-0.

Junior pitcher Shannon Smith earned the win, recording her first career no-hitter with 12 strikeouts.

Junior Caitlin Cooper (1-2) took the loss, tossing four and a third frames and allowing eight runs (seven earned) and eight hits, while striking out two.

However, the Great Danes rebounded for Friday evening's clash against the tournament hosts, jumping out to a 12-0 lead in the first four frames, including a 4-0 lead in the top of the first. Junior Liz Snow knocked in the first run of the game with an RBI double to left, plating Kelly Costello, and Mackenzie Cleary followed with a three-run homer that brought in Maggie Cocks and Snow.

In the third, UAlbany scored three more runs as Cocks reached on a hit by pitch and Snow recorded her second straight RBI double to left. After drawing a walk, Cleary and Snow both scored on sophomore Donna Conrad's infield single, giving the Danes a 7-0 advantage.

UAlbany added five unearned runs in the fourth, as Kayla Bailey reached on an error to start the frame, freshman McKenzie Bump singled to left, and Costello knocked in Bailey with an RBI single also to left field. Loading the bases on Snow's hit by pitch, freshman designated player Chelsea Henige belted her first career home run – a grand slam – giving the Great Danes a 12-run lead.

Winthrop battled back, scoring six runs in the fourth, including a grand slam of their own by Megan Winningham.

The Eagles threatened in the sixth, as Leah Young and Winningham belted back-to-back solo shots to start the frame. Winthrop added two more runs on a trio of hits, cutting the deficit to two, 12-10. However, freshman Celeste Verdolivo was able to hold the Eagles off the rest of the way.

Verdolivo earned the save in her collegiate debut, tossing 3.1 innings out of the pen, allowing four runs and seven hits, while striking out two. Sophomore Devin Durando (2-2) picked up the win, holding Winthrop to six runs (one earned) and two hits, striking out three in 3.2 innings of work.

For the Eagles, Kiley Majette took the loss, giving up six runs (two earned) and five hits in the opening 2.1 frames.

At the plate, UAlbany totaled 10 hits led by Bump (2-for3), Snow (2-for-2), and Conrad's (2-for-3) multi-hit efforts.

Up next, the Great Danes take on Lehigh at 11 a.m. and Winthrop again at 3 p.m. Saturday at Terry Field.