UAlbany Ends Saturday with Two Victories; Ostrom Pitching Strong

KISSIMMEE, FLA - The University at Albany softball team won two games on Sunday, March 17 to claim a winning record (8-7) for the first time this season. UAlbany defeated UW-Green Bay, 7-3, following with a 7-1 victory over Rider University. Emily Ostrom gave up just a single run against Rider. It was the only run allowed by the righty in her past 16 innings pitched.

UW-GREEN BAY: The Great Danes scored all seven runs between the third and sixth inning to defeat the Phoenix. Brittany MacFawn (4-5) won her second consecutive start with a season-high 13 strikeouts. All but two UAlbany hitters recorded a hit. They had eight in total.

After each team exchanged runs in the third inning, UAlbany took a two-run lead off the bat of senior Lindsey Stout. The catcher hit a hard two-RBI double to right field in the top of the fourth inning. The lead was extended, 4-1, in the top of the fifth when designated hitter Marlin Solano was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

UW-Green Bay looked to rally in the bottom of the fifth inning, tightening the score to 4-3. Freshman infielder Marissa Michalkiewicz responded to the Great Danes with a two-run double of her own. The Phoenix would never come any closer however, as MacFawn closed out the inning with a strikeout.

UAlbany put the game out of reach after scoring three more runs in the sixth inning. Freshman Maggie Cocks capped off the early game, driving home sophomore Alexa Toole, and putting the score at 7-3.

Stout fueled the offense with a 2-for-4 performance and two RBIs. MacFawn went for her ninth complete game in ten starts this season. She scattered seven hits, allowing three earned runs and walking zero. Freshman Briana Cavin took the loss for UW-Green Bay (1-10).

RIDER: Charlise Castro and Kelly Costello each went yard to lead UAlbany over Rider University, 7-1. Castro now has 15 career homers in just over one full season. Ostrom went the complete game. The right-handed junior is 4-2 on the year.

Castro opened up the scoring in her first at-bat in the bottom of inning one. She connected for a two-run homer over the left field wall. The reigning America East Player of the Year, Castro, a junior transfer, is already halfway to the Great Dane career home run record (31) in just over one completed season.

The lead was extended, 4-1, as Costello, a freshman, hit her first career home run in the bottom of the second inning. UAlbany accounted for all seven of their runs within the first two innings. Castro capped off the scoring with a two-run double.

Ostrom held the Broncs scoreless after the first inning. She scattered four hits, striking out four and walking four. Krista Morrone took the loss for Rider (3-17).

Castro tied a career-high with four RBIs. She led the Great Danes going 2-for-3 with a one run scored. Sophomore's Vicky McFarland and Jess Tate also each had two hits.

UAlbany is back in action tomorrow. They play a doubleheader against Manhattan starting at 11:00 a.m. The Rebel Games conclude with two more games for the Great Danes on Tuesday.