Softball Clinches Series At UMass Lowell With 7-2 Victory
BOX SCORE
LOWELL, Mass. – The University at Albany softball team captured its fourth straight America East series, winning Sunday's rubber match against UMass Lowell with a 7-2 victory. With the triumph, UAlbany improved to 25-14 overall and 8-4 in the America East, while the River Hawks fell to 16-29 on the season and 5-11 in conference play.
The Great Danes totaled 16 hits led by Kelly Costello and Alexa Toole who both went 3-for-4. Senior Vicky McFarland and junior Maggie Cocks each added two hits apiece. McFarland also became UAlbany's all-time runs leader, crossing the plate twice in the victory, bringing her total to 152 in her career.
In the circle, freshman Erynn Sobieski (8-4) earned the win, closing the game with five scoreless and hitless innings after relieving starter Devin Durando after two.
In the top of the first, UAlbany took a 2-0 lead, as McFarland knocked a leadoff single through the left side and Liz Snow followed with a two-run home run over the left field wall, marking her ninth of the season.
UMass Lowell answered with a run in the bottom half of the frame stringing together Ally Greene's leadoff double to right-center and Vanessa Cooper's RBI single to left.
Senior Jess Tate gave the Danes a 3-1 advantage in the second with a solo blast over the centerfield fence. However, the River Hawks got the run back immediately in their next at-bats, using a leadoff single, a pair of walks, and a run-scoring passed ball.
The Great Danes took over from there, scoring four runs in the fourth for a five-run advantage, 7-2. Toole sparked the rally, leading off with a double to right-centerfield, and McFarland laid down a bunt single. With two outs, Marlin Solano ripped a two-run double, Cocks followed with an RBI two-bagger down the left field line, and Costello capped the inning with an RBI single to left.
Erica Armenti (5-15) took the loss, allowing three runs and six hits in the opening 1.1 frames. Out of the pen, Courtney Lanfranchi tossed the final 5.2 innings, allowing four runs and 10 hits.
UAlbany wraps up the regular season this week with a seven-game home stand, beginning with Tuesday's makeup conference doubleheader against Stony Brook. Game one starts at 1 p.m.
