UAlbany Softball Set DI Program Record With 13th Straight Victory; Take Two From Maine

ORONO, Maine – The University at Albany softball team broke a Division I program record as they won their 13^th consecutive game. UAlbany defeated the University of Maine in a doubleheader on Sunday, April 7, 5-2 and 8-4. The program's previous best was 11 straight.

In game one, UAlbany scored all five of their runs within the first two innings. They were led at the plate by sophomore Vicky McFarland and junior Charlise Castro. Both went 2-for-4, each adding a run and a combined three RBIs.

Castro started the scoring with an RBI single to right field before freshman Kelly Costello drove in the third run of the first inning with a single to center. McFarland added two more in the top of the second with her team-high fifth homer this season.

Junior Hannah Hill, who pitched, looked to bring the Black Bears within reaching distance as she hit a home run in the bottom of the seventh. Maine (5-28, 2-3 AE) would get no closer however, as junior Brittany MacFawn finished her 15^th complete game of the season.

MacFawn (10-5) struck out nine, allowing six hits and two earned runs. Hill (2-9) was tagged with the loss. She went the distance, allowing nine hits, five earned runs and striking out nine.

As game two started, UAlbany (18-7, 5-0 AE) again got off to a quick start. This time the Great Danes scored all seven of their runs within the first two innings. Junior Emily Ostrom won her eighth straight start. She is now 8-2 in 2013.

Castro, again, sparked UAlbany’s early scoring. She slugged her 15th career homer, a three-run shot to center field to give the Great Danes a 5-0 lead in the first inning. Freshman Maggie Cocks reached on a throwing error earlier in the inning, allowing freshman Annie Johnson and McFarland to both score.

One inning later, Johnson and McFarland scored off the bat of Cocks for a second time. The shortstop singled for 2 RBIs -- a 7-1 lead for UAlbany.

Maine began to chip away, scoring two runs in the bottom of the second. Their rally would come to a halt as junior Lindsey Alcorn sealed the sweep with a solo homer to right center in the top of the fifth.

Ostrom allowed six hits and four earned runs over 4.1 innings for the Great Danes. She struck out one. MacFawn added 2.2 scoreless relief innings. Junior Kylie Sparks went just one inning for Maine, giving up seven runs, five earned, on six hits. She is 1-4 on the season.

Johnson stole four more bases for UAlbany over the two games. She has a team-leading 20 snags this season.

The Great Danes will look to sweep the series against Maine, tomorrow, Monday, April 8. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m.