Softball Defeats Both Maine and Stony Brook In Elimination Games; Faces Boston U. In Championship

Boston, Mass.- UAlbany softball gets by both Maine, 2-0, and Stony Brook, 6-5, in elimination game's on Saturday, May 12 at BU Softball Field. The Great Danes will prepare to capture its second consecutive America East Championship against the Terriers of Boston U. on Sunday, May 13. UAlbany will have to defeat Boston U. twice to win the conference crown.

In the first elimination game versus Maine, UAlbany (36-13) jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second. Great Dane catcher Kylie Apostolina began the inning with a single to left field. Then second baseman Katie Wambold reached on a throwing-error by Maine's third baseman Magaret Hilton, which allowed Apostolina to score from first.

UAlbany's first run was the only run it would need as Brittany MacFawn (19-6) pitched her ninth complete-game shutout. MacFawn would not allow a base runner past first in seven innings.

Maine broke up MacFawn's no-no in the bottom of the fifth, as designated player Davis hit a seeing-eye single through the left side. The UAlbany sophomore pitcher allowed just three base runners while striking out eight.

UAlbany would grab an insurance run in the top of the seventh to go up 2-0. Lauren Alcorn reached on a fielder's choice, Christina Patrick came in to pinch-run for Alcorn, Mel Herndon pushed Patrick to second with single up the middle then Vicky McFarland drove in Patrick with an RBI-single up the middle.

Game two's elimination game versus Stony Brook, Brittany Schwieger (15-5) was in the circle for UAlbany facing Allison Cukrov (26-9). These two matched up in the second game of the doubleheader in the regular season with Cukrov getting the better of Schwieger, 3-1.

However, the Great Danes would give plenty of run support for their pitcher Schwieger, jumping out to an early 6-2 lead through three innings.

In the bottom of the first, UAlbany would score two runs without recording a hit. The Great Danes would put runners on through walks and fielder's choice, as Apostolina would record an RBI by getting hit by a pitch and Katie Wambold would follow with a fielder's choice RBI.

Stony Brook responded in the top of the second with two runs of its own to tie the game, 2-2. Bernadette Tenuto continued to swing a hot-bat as she notched the game's first home run and then teammate Lauren Maloney drove in a run off a double to center.

The Great Danes would then add four more runs in the bottom of the third to extend its lead to four, 6-2. Diane MacDowell led the inning off with a double to right field and was followed by an RBI-triple to left by Taylor Franich.

After Franich's triple, Charlise Castro drew a walk and Apostolina would bring in Franich with an RBI-single to left. Apostolina's single would be the end of the day for Stony Brook pitcher Cukrov.

Wambold would add the final run of the inning with single through the left side.

Stony Brook looked to make a comeback, scoring three more runs, one in the fourth and two in the fifth. Shayla Giosia added both runs in the fifth with her first home run of the game to left field.

But in the bottom of the seventh, UAlbany's Brittany MacFawn came in to shut the door on Stony Brook to grab her first save of the season. MacFawn had help in the field with one out and a runner on second, Giosia would hit a liner to Alcorn which she ended up doubling up the runner at second to end the game.

Press release & photo provided by UAlbany Athletics