Softball Rallies For 5-4 Victory Over UMass Lowell
BOX SCORE
ALBANY, N.Y. – Scoring three runs with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, the University at Albany softball team rallied to overcome UMass Lowell, 5-4, Friday afternoon at Albany Field. With the win, the Great Danes improved to 17-8 on the season and 3-0 in the America East, while the River Hawks fell to 5-24 overall and 0-4 in conference play.
Freshman pitcher Celeste Verdolivo (6-3) earned the win out of the pen, charged with no runs and one hit in 3.1 innings of work, while striking out three. Verdolivo relieved sophomore Devin Durando in the fourth, who allowed four runs and five hits, striking out two, in 3.2 frames.
“I was a little disappointed that we started out the game so flat,” said head coach Chris Cannata. “I brought Celeste into the game in a tough spot and she did a nice job shutting down Lowell and keeping us in the game.”
Offensively, UAlbany totaled nine hits in the victory, led by senior Maggie Cocks who went 3-for-3 with a two-run home run. Freshman McKenzie Bump and sophomore Donna Conrad also had multi-hit performances, going 2-for-4 and 2-for-3, respectively.
With gusting winds and spitting rain, UMass Lowell took a three-run lead in the top of the first. With two outs, Sydney Barker doubled to left field, and a pair of walks set up Marisa Carrasco's three-run double that gave the River Hawks the early advantage.
As the skies cleared and the sun came out, the Great Danes cut the deficit to one, 3-2, in the third as senior Kelly Costello reached on a misplayed ball back to the pitcher and scored on Cocks' two-run blast off the scoreboard in left field.
In the fourth, UMass Lowell put the Danes in a jam, as a walk and Brianna West's double down the right field line put runners on second and third with one out. Catcher Lindsey Haskell saved a run, fielding Tori Alcorn's bunt and quickly tagged Ashley Smits sliding into home. Another walk loaded the bases, prompting a call to the bullpen. West scored on a wild pitch to make the score 4-2, but Verdolivo was able to limit the damage, drawing a pop-up to end the inning.
With an error and a single, respectively, Mackenzie Cleary and Conrad sparked UAlbany's rally in the sixth. Haskell moved the pair over with a sacrifice bunt, and with two outs pinch hitter freshman Chelsea Henige singled down the right field line, tying the ball game, 4-4. Bump immediately followed with a double to right-center, plating pinch runner Jules Holbert for the game-winning run.
In the seventh, Verdolivo sat the River Hawks down in order to secure the victory.
Sydney Wash (2-8) took the loss, allowing five runs (one earned) and nine hits, while striking out seven in the complete game.
“Chelsea Henige got a clutch two-out hit for us to tie the game and then Mackenzie Bump got another clutch two-out double to give us the lead,” said Cannata. “But we need to learn to keep the intensity and focus better from start to finish. Every conference win is important for us, and I'm proud of the way this team always fights back.”
UAlbany and UMass Lowell continue the three-game America East series Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. at Albany Field.
