Game One Score: Niagara 5, UAlbany 4 (9)
Game Two Score: UAlbany 7, Niagara 0
Location: Albany Field in Albany, N.Y.
Records: UAlbany (23-12); Niagara (8-26)
Short Story: UAlbany softball splits a non-conference doubleheader with visiting Niagara, falling in extras before powering to victory in game two behind a grand slam from Katie Falotico and a complete game shutout from Taylor Light.
Game One
Game Two
- Taylor Light pitched a complete game shutout, allowing five hits and recording three strikeouts
- Katie Falotico hit 1-3 with a home run and four RBIs
- Sarah Petzold hit 1-3 with a double
- Courtney Courtade hit 1-1 with an RBI off the bench
- Amelia Ely scored two runs
- UAlbany scored seven runs on four hits
- Niagara stranded eight baserunners and committed six errors
Recap
Hosting a non-conference double-header ahead of their regular season home finale series this weekend, the University at Albany softball team split two games with visiting Niagara, falling in the early game 5-4 in extra innings, and bouncing back to win convincingly, 7-0 in the second game.
The Great Danes jumped out to a quick lead in the first game, scoring once in the bottom of the first. Alexis Phillips hit a one-out single up the middle and proceeded to steal second during Katie Falotico's ensuing at-bat. Phillips scored when Falotico hit an RBI double to put UAlbany up 1-0 right away.
UAlbany scored again in the bottom of the third. Lové Drumgole led off with a double to left-center and advanced to third during the next at-bat when Mariah Miramontez grounded out to the pitcher. Two batters later, Falotico singled through the right side, scoring Drumgole from third.
UAlband scored twice in the bottom of the fourth to take a 4-0 lead. With two outs and no one on, Amanda Mosall drew a walk before Drumgole hit a double that advanced Mosall to third. Both Mosall and Drumgole scored when Miramontez hit a single in the next at-bat.
Niagara broke through in the top of the fifth, tying the game with four runs. The Purple Eagles' bats came alive in the inning to the tune of four hits and seven baserunners. Neither team scored over the remaining two-and-a-half innings, and the game proceeded into extras.
The Purple Eagles broke the 4-4 tie with one run in the top of the ninth. UAlbany's comeback attempt in the bottom of the inning fell short, stranding one baserunner on first.
UAlbany starter Chloe Lewis lasted 7.0 innings, allowing four runs on six hits with three walks. Only one of her runs allowed was earned. Taylor Light pitched the final 2.0 innings of the first game, striking out one while allowing one run on three hits. Falotico finished hitting 2-4 and driving in two runs. UAlbany falls to 2-1 in extra-inning games this season.
The second game started slowly, with neither team managing to score a run through the first two innings. Niagara's scoring drought extended into the third, but the Great Danes broke through in the bottom of the inning with one run to take the lead. Amelia Ely led off reaching safely on an error by the Niagara shortstop and ending up on second base. Mosall next laid down a sacrifice bunt, advancing Ely to third. Drumgole, the next batter, hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Ely.
Another scoreless inning went by before UAlbany broke open the game in the bottom of the fifth, scoring five runs. With one out and no one on, Ely again reached on an error by Niagara's shortstop, the Purple Eagles' first of three errors in the inning. After Mosall flied out to center, leaving the Danes with two outs and one runner on base, Drumgole reached safely, hitting into a fielder's choice, but Niagara dropped the ball at second on the exchange, leaving Ely safe on base. In the next at-bat, Miramontez reached base safely on the same play, with Niagara failing the exchange at second. Ely was able to score on the play to put UAlbany up 2-0.
When Miaramontez stole second, the Great Danes had runners on second and third with two outs. Aliyah Wade worked a walk to load the bases, leading to a two-out grand slam from Falotico, putting UAlbany up 6-0.
The Great Danes scored one insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs and no one on, Mosall took first after being hit by a pitch, advanced to second when Drumgole single to third, and scored when Courtney Courtade hit an RBI single to right.
UAlbany would close out the top of the seventh allowing one baserunner but no runs, to claim a 7-0 victory and earn the doubleheader split. Light returned in the second game to pitch a complete game shutout, allowing five hits while striking out three. Falotico finished batting 1-3 with a home run and four RBIs in the second game, and 3-7 with a double, a home run, and six RBIs on the afternoon.
Next: UAlbany hosts its final three home games of the season this weekend against UMBC. The Great Danes will celebrate their Senior Day on Sunday, April 28.
