ALBANY, N.Y.— UAlbany's 24 hits sent them 2-0 over the Hartford Hawks in a doubleheader this afternoon with game scores of 6-0 and 9-1.
“Today was a good day for us all around. The pitchers especially did a really nice job holding Hartford to 5 hits on the day. Hopefully we are able to build on today as we head into the final two weekends of the year,” said head coach Chris Cannata.
GAME 1 (6-0)
Bailey Turner (7-5) was in command of the circle in the first game striking out five batters, allowing only two hits with no earned runs. The Great Danes began to connect in the bottom of the third with four runs and four hits. With Kelly Spear and Donna Conrad sitting on base, Liz Snow sent a single to left field to score Conrad. Next, Chelsea Henige recorded a one-run RBI double. Sarah Petzold then hit a shot through the right side to score two more runs. By the end of the third the Great Danes led 4-0. In the bottom of the fifth Kayla Bailey started the Great Danes off by a bunt single. To cap off the Great Dane runs, Liz Snow shot a home run ball over the fence to make the final score 6-0. Both Liz Snow and Donna Conrad went 2-2, while Sarah Petzold went 2-3.
GAME 2 (9-1 in 5 Innings)
Celeste Verdolivo (6-7) earned her 6th pitching win this season striking out five batters allowing only two hits and no earned runs. Aliyah Wade had an impressive performance in the second game going 3-3 at the plate, scoring two runs. The Great Danes wasted no time in the second game and immediately put five runs on the board in the first inning. Wade started the inning with a single to short stop waiting for Liz Snow to approach the plate. Snow crushed her second homerun of the day over the fence to score two runs. Then back-to-back-to-back hits from Henige, Petzold, and Barkevich sent in another two runs. Finally, Cleary laid down a sacrifice bunt to score the final run of the inning.
UAlbany's bats came alive once again in the fourth inning. Kayla Bailey and Wade both singled, then Kelly Spear sent them in with a double that tapped the fence. Finally, Henige sent in Spear in with a double as well.
Needing three outs to end the game in the top of the 5th inning, Caitlin Cooper came in to relieve Verdolivo. A single, a sacrifice bunt, and a sacrifice fly from Hartford sent in one run forcing the Great Danes to score in the bottom half of the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth with bases loaded, Kelly Spear sent a walk-off single up the middle to end the game. The final score read 9-1 in favor of UAlbany.
UAlbany will face Hartford for the last game of the series tomorrow on Senior Day. There will be a short pregame ceremony to honor the Great Dane seniors, Kayla Bailey, Mackenzie Cleary, Caitlin Cooper, and Liz Snow at 11:45 a.m.
