UAlbany to Play Nine at Rebel Games in Spring Tourney Conclusion

ALBANY, N.Y. -- The University at Albany softball team (4-6, 0-0 AE) will head south once again to complete their non-conference tournament schedule. The Great Danes play nine games at the 2013 Rebel Games from March 14-19 in Kissimmee, Fla. The six-day stretch includes games against St. Peter's University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Butler University, UW-Green Bay, Rider University and Manhattan College.   2013 OUTLOOK UAlbany returns nine letterwinners and seven starters in 2013. Junior transfer, Charlise Castro, became the America East's first triple crown winner en route to 2012 conference player of the year honors. The first baseman batted .461 with 13 homers and 53 RBIs in her first season as a Great Dane. Vicky McFarland also returns after she earned conference rookie of the year. Returning to the mound, junior Brittany MacFawn logged 155 innings with 186 strikeouts and a 1.67 ERA last season. The right-handed hurler will look to repeat as a first-team pitcher. AT COASTAL CAROLINA INVITATIONAL UAlbany had a successful trip to Myrtle Beach, SC in their last tournament series. The Great Danes went 4-1 at the Coastal Carolina Invitational. Starters MacFawn and junior Emily Ostrom both recorded their first two wins of the season. FRESHMAN MAGGIE COCKS EARNS ROOKIE OF THE WEEK UAlbany softball shortstop Maggie Cocks was named America East Rookie of the Week on Monday, March 4. The freshman helped lead the Great Danes to a 4-1 mark at the Coastal Carolina Invitational. Cocks, a native of Walden, N.Y., hit .500 (6-for-12) over the span of five games in Myrtle Beach, SC. Four of those hits were for extra bases, including the first homer of her career. She also scored a pair of runs, drove in three and walked twice. Her early season success has been noticed as she's started all 10 games at shortstop. SOLANO HAS THE HOT BAT Sophomore Marlin Solano has started red hot for the Great Danes. In 24 at-bats the designated hitter has posted a .417 average, recording 10 hits. She leads UAlbany in average, hits, RBIs (7), slugging percentage (.667) and on-base percentage (.516). GREAT DANE STARTERS BUILDING STAMINA Through 10 games, UAlbany pitchers have recorded nine complete games. MacFawn (6 CG) and Ostrom (3 CG), combined for 67 innings pitched and four wins through the first two tournaments of the 2013 season. CASTRO SLUGGING FOR PROGRAM RECORD BOOKS In her first season with UAlbany, Castro found her way into the Great Danes record book. Her .461 batting average, put her name second, for the single-season program record. She also recorded 13 homers and doubles -- both ranking second for a single-season. Castro hit her first home run of 2013 at the FGCU Invitational last week as she looks to chase down the career program record. Home Runs 1. Meagan Butsch 2006-09 31 2. Gina Mason 2008-11 26 Kelly Ogden 2004-07 26 4. Michelle Connors 2007-10 23 5. Maegan Larsen 2003-06 16 6. Carlise Castro 2012- 14 YOUR GREAT DANE NO. 1 STARTER In two plus seasons on the mound for UAlbany, MacFawn has put together an impressive resume. Logging 317.2 innings, the right-handed recorded a 29-14 record with a 2.70 ERA and 38 complete games from 2011-12. She ranks fourth on the Great Danes all-time list for strikeouts with 372 and leaves opponents with a minimal .224 batting average against her. This year, she will look to crack the top three in program history for career strikeouts. Strikeouts 1. Leah McIntosh 2007-10 725 2. Casey Halloran 2004-07 595 3. Kelly Poynton 1997-99 399 4. Brittany MacFawn 2011- 372 GREAT DANES ARE TOP DOGS IN PRESEASON POLL The University at Albany and Boston University, who played in the 2012 America East Softball Championship, were announced on Monday, Feb. 4, as co-favorites in the conference preseason coaches' poll. UAlbany is coming off a 36-14 overall record and second place finish, 13-5, in the America East. After defeating both Maine and Stony Brook in elimination games, the Great Danes fell just short of crowning themselves conference champions for the fifth time. UAlbany and Boston U. each received three first-place votes and 32 points in a vote of the league's head coaches. REBEL GAMES SCHEDULE Thu, Mar 14 St. Peter's at Kissimmee, FL 9:00 a.m. Thu, Mar 14 Fairleigh at Kissimmee, FL 11:00 a.m. Fri, Mar 15 Butler at Kissimmee, FL 3:00 p.m. Sun, Mar 17 UW-Green Bay at Kissimmee, FL 11:00 a.m. Sun, Mar 17 Rider at Kissimmee, FL 1:00 p.m. Mon, Mar 18 Manhattan at Kissimmee, FL 11:00 a.m. Mon, Mar 18 Manhattan at Kissimmee, FL 3:00 p.m. Tue, Mar 19 Rider at Kissimmee, FL 9:00 a.m. Tue, Mar 19 UW-Green Bay at Kissimmee, FL 11:00 a.m.

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