Softball Knocks 24 Hits In Saturday's Doubleheader Sweep At Binghamton
BOX ONE I BOX TWO
VESTAL, N.Y. -- The University at Albany softball team secured its third straight America East Conference series win with a doubleheader sweep over Binghamton Saturday afternoon in Vestal, N.Y., topping the Bearcats 8-5 and 13-4. With the victories, the Great Danes improved to 23-10 overall and 6-2 in conference play, while Binghamton fell to 13-16 on the season and 4-5 in the America East.
In game one, UAlbany fell behind early, as the Bearcats scored three runs in the bottom of the first on a pair of leadoff walks, Lisa Cadogen's two-run double, and Sarah Miller's RBI single to center.
However, the Great Danes exploded onto the board in the third recording their first eight hits of the game in the frame. Lindsey Haskell led off with an infield single and came around to score on Vicky McFarland's first of two home runs on the day. Alexa Toole kept the rally alive with a bunt single and Maggie Cocks kept the pattern with her first of two home runs -- a two-run blast over the right field wall -- giving the Danes a 4-0 advantage with no outs. Designated player Marlin Solano lined a single to center and Kelly Costello doubled, setting up Jess Tate's two RBI single to left for a 6-0 advantage.
Binghamton chipped away at the deficit, scoring one in the fifth and one in the sixth, but UAlbany held the Bearcats at bay.
In the seventh, the Great Danes tacked on a pair of insurance runs, as Caitlin Cooper was hit by a pitch to start the inning, Haskell singled and McFarland knocked in one on her double to center, and Haskell scored on a two-out error for an 8-5 lead.
UAlbany totaled 12 hits in the contest led by Haskell's 3-for-3 performance with two runs scored. McFarland went 2-for-3 with a game-high three RBIs, and Cocks also logged two hits (2-for-5).
In the circle, Devin Durando (11-2) earned the complete game win, allowing five runs and five hits, while striking out one.
For Binghamton, Sarah Miller took the loss, throwing the first 2.2 innings, allowing six runs and eight hits with one strikeout. Reliever Cara Martin tossed the final 4.1 frames, allowing two runs (one earned) and four hits, while striking out four.
In the nightcap, the Danes wasted little time getting on the board, as McFarland belted a leadoff home run over the left-centerfield fence in the top of the first. UAlbany took a 5-0 lead in the second, scoring four unearned runs, as Toole led off with a walk and scored on a two-out error off the bat of Kayla Bailey. Next, McFarland walked, and Costello and Cocks knocked back-to-back singles, plating three for a five-run advantage.
In the bottom of the second, Binghamton scored two runs on four hits, but the Danes got them back immediately with five more runs in the top of the third. UAlbany strung together five hits and a walk, capped by Bailey's two-run double, McFarland's two-run triple to right, and Costello's RBI single to left, giving the visitor's a 10-2 lead.
Liz Snow gave the Danes an 11-2 advantage in the fourth with her leadoff home run over the left field wall.
After Binghamton scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth on four singles, Cocks built UAlbany's lead back to nine, 13-4, with a two-run homer to left in the fifth, giving the Danes the mercy-rule victory.
While Binghamton totaled 14 hits in the game, the Bearcats left the bases loaded twice and stranded 11 runners total in the contest.
Freshman Erynn Sobieski (7-3) earned the win, throwing all five frames, striking out three.
Shelby Donhauser (2-5) took the loss, allowing seven runs (three earned) and five hits in the opening 2.1 innings.
Offensively, UAlbany recorded 12 hits in the clash led by McFarland (2-for-3), Costello (2-for-3), Cocks (2-for-4), and Bailey's (2-for-3) multi-hit efforts.
UAlbany and Binghamton close the conference series Sunday with a single game beginning at 12 p.m.
