Softball Splits Senior Day Doubleheader With Binghamton
GAME ONE I GAME TWO
ALBANY, N.Y. -- Combining for 30 runs on the day, the University at Albany softball team split Saturday's doubleheader with Binghamton in a fight for the top of the conference standings. Binghamton took game one, 10-8, holding off a furious rally by the Great Danes, while UAlbany captured game two, 10-2 in five innings. With the Senior Day split, UAlbany is now 30-13 on the season and 10-2 in the America East, while the Bearcats sit at 29-13 on the season and 11-3 in conference play.
“Well, we had a rough start today which was a little disappointing because we really needed to be focused from the first pitch of the game playing a team like Binghamton,” said Head Coach Chris Cannata. “I was proud of the way we fought back to make a game of it. Then, they were able to carry that momentum through the second game with some big hits. This team has been a team that has fought back all season long and I love to coach them because of that.”
In game one, the Bearcats got out ahead early, posting 10 runs in the first two innings. Binghamton scored five unearned runs in the first and five in the second on Crysti Eichner's two-run single and Griffin McIver's three-run home run over the left field fence.
However, those would be Binghamton's final runs of the game, as reliever Caitlin Cooper held the Bearcats scoreless and to just four hits, while striking out two in the final 5.1 frames.
The Great Danes chipped away at the deficit, scoring their first run of the game in the bottom of the second on freshman Sarah Petzold's sacrifice fly with the bases loaded.
Trailing 10-1 in the bottom of the fifth, UAlbany scored two runs to keep the game alive as Petzold led off with a single and scored on freshman Chelsea Henige's RBI double to left. Henige advanced to third on senior Kelly Costello's single up the middle, and fellow senior Maggie Cocks broke the program's all-time RBIs record with a sacrifice fly to left, making the score 10-3.
After scoring two more runs in the bottom of the sixth, sparked by sophomore Donna Conrad's leadoff double and junior Mackenzie Cleary's infield single, the Great Danes came roaring back in the bottom of the seventh. Costello drew a walk, Cocks doubled off the left-centerfield wall, and junior Liz Snow belted a three-run home run, cutting the deficit to two, 10-8. With two outs, senior Lindsey Haskell looked to keep the rally going with a single down the left field line, but the Bearcats' defense recorded the final out on the play at second.
Sophomore Devin Durando (15-6) took the loss, while Binghamton's Sarah Miller (13-6) picked up the win.
Offensively, the Great Danes totaled 11 hits led by Cleary's 3-for-4 effort.
In the nightcap, the roles were reversed as UAlbany accelerated out to a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Cocks blasted a three-run home run and Cleary a two-run shot to give the Danes the early cushion.
In the second, Snow belted her second homer of the day -- a two-run bomb over the centerfield fence -- lifting UAlbany a 7-0 lead.
Binghamton broke onto the board with two unearned runs in the top of the third, but that was it for the Bearcats.
With the bases loaded, Conrad's RBI fielder's choice and Cleary's sacrifice fly gave the Great Danes a 9-2 advantage in the fourth.
Needing just one run to end the game early, Petzold led off the fifth with a single up the middle. Junior Kayla Bailey laid down a bunt single and on freshman McKenzie Bump's sacrifice bunt, Binghamton tried to catch Petzold off the bag at third but through the ball down the line, allowing the game-ending run to score.
UAlbany finished with 10 hits in the contest, led by Petzold's 2-for-3 performance.
In the circle, freshman Celeste Verdolivo (14-5) earned the win, allowing just six scattered hits and two unearned runs, while striking out two in five innings.
Prior to today's doubleheader, seniors Lindsey Haskell, Kelly Costello and Maggie Cocks were honored in an on-field ceremony.
“Senior Day is always a very emotional day for everyone and I'm so proud of our three seniors,” said Cannata. “They are a huge part of our success and we want to keep playing for them as long as we can.”
Due to expected inclement weather, Sunday's rubber match has been moved to a 10 a.m. start at Albany Field.
