Softball Takes Two From UMass-Lowell On Senior Day
Game 1 Box Score │ Game 2 Box Score
ALBANY, N.Y. – Emotions ran high on a day when the University at Albany softball team took the time to celebrate the four seniors on this year's roster for their contributions to the program over the last four years. Seniors Emily Ostrom, Charlise Castro, Lauren Alcorn, and Brittany MacFawn were honored in front of their teammates and families before today's first game against UMass-Lowell in the traditional senior day fashion, as the Danes were playing their final regular season home games this weekend.
Once the ceremony concluded, it was back to business as usual for UAlbany (24-10, 10-3), who took the first two games of a three game series with conference newcomer UMass-Lowell (9-33, 1-12). MacFawn (13-5) made her 100th career start on the mound for UAlbany in the first game of the doubleheader. MacFawn threw six innings, allowing one run on two hits with 10 strikeouts and no walks. The game was called in the bottom of the sixth inning.
The Danes struck early once again, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first. After Vicky McFarland grounded out to third to lead off, Kelly Costello hit a single up the middle and then stole second during Maggie Cocks' at-bat. Cocks hit a single to right field, driving in Costello. The next batter, Elizabeth Snow, hit a double to center, allowing Cocks to score.
UAlbany added three more runs in the bottom of the third. Costello and Cocks led off hitting consecutive singles through the left side. With runners on first and second, Snow hit a three-run home run to left field, giving the Danes a 5-0 lead. UMass-Lowell countered with a home run of its own in the top of the fourth, the only run the River Hawks would score during the game, cutting the lead to 5-1.
The Danes scored two runs each in the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings. In the fifth, Snow led off with a double to center, and was subsequently pinch run for by Kate Biasi. The next batter, Castro, then hit a long home run to center field to give UAlbany a 7-1 lead. Caitlin Cooper, who replaced Alexa Toole in right field in the top of the fifth, led off the sixth inning with a single to right. McFarland then singled to left, advancing Cooper to second. Costello grounded out to third, advancing both base runners. Finally, Cocks hit a double to left, scoring both Cooper and McFarland, and ending the game with a score of 9-2 in UAlbany's favor. Cocks hit 3-3 with a double, two runs scored and three RBIs. Snow also hit 3-3 with two doubles, a home run, one run scored and four RBIs. Castro hit 1-3 with a home run, one run scored and two RBIs. And Costello hit 2-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base.
Ostrom (2-3) started the second game for UAlbany, pitching four innings allowing three runs on four hits with one strikeout and two walks. She was relieved in the top of the fifth inning by Mackenzie Thompson (7-2), who took the victory after pitching three innings, allowing no runs on two hits with three strikeouts and one walk.
After a scoreless first inning and a half, UAlbany struck first with two runs in the bottom of the second. Castro reached safely on a throwing error by UMass-Lowell's third baseman, and then advanced to second. Marlin Solano then struck out, before Alcorn reached on a failed fielder's choice. Cooper hit a single up the middle to score Castro. Jess Tate followed with a single through the left side, which scored Alcorn from second.
UMass-Lowell got on the board in the top of the fourth inning, scoring three runs to take the lead. But UAlbany scored two in the bottom of the fifth to retake the lead at 4-3, which would end up being the final score. Costello flied out to right to lead off the inning. Cocks then struck out looking. With two outs, Snow hit a double to center, and was then pinch run for by Kayla Bailey. With first base open, the River Hawks intentionally walked Castro, bringing up Solano. Solano hit a double down the left field line, scoring both Bailey and Castro, and giving the Danes a lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game. Solano hit 1-3 with two RBIs in the second game. Snow threw out two River Hawks on steal attempts. And Cooper made a diving catch in right field for the second out in the top of the sixth.
Tomorrow, the Danes play their final regular season home game in the series finale against UMass-Lowell. The game is scheduled to start at 12:00 p.m. Afterwards, UAlbany concludes the regular season with seven consecutive road games, starting with doubleheader rematches against Siena and Army, before a final three-game set against UMBC.
