University of Albany Softball Completes Doubleheader Sweep of Crosstown-Rival Siena

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Sophomore pitcher Leah McIntosh struck out nine Siena batters in game one, while Marissa Powell and Brittany Rose combined in the circle for a victory in the nightcap to lead UAlbany softball to a softball doubleheader sweep of the Saints at Albany Field on Thursday afternoon. The Great Danes won the first game by a score of 2-1 and held off a late rally to take game two, 3-2.

Siena (6-14) struck first in the early game, breaking a scoreless tie that lasted until the sixth inning. Catcher Andrea Piela led off the top of the inning with a triple to right field, and scored on an RBI single by Jennifer Granato two batters later.

UAlbany (9-9) answered in the bottom of the frame, as senior left fielder Amber Maisonet led off with a bunt single and advanced to second on the throw. Center fielder Nicole Kothe followed with a walk, and the baserunners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Michelle Connors. Bailey Van Deest hit a ground out to second that allowed Maisonet to score and tie the game. Right fielder Meagan Butsch put the Great Danes ahead with a triple to right centerfield, scoring Kothe. Siena pitcher Jamie Piela induced a pop-up by Gina Mason to end the inning.

The Saints attempted to rally in the top half of the seventh, loading the bases on two singles and a batter that was hit by a pitch. Renee Clavette pinch-hit for Siena, and McIntosh struck her out swinging to get out of the jam and seal the win in her eighth complete-game performance.

UAlbany got on the scoreboard early in the nightcap, scoring single runs in each of the first two innings. Maisonet drew a lead-off walk and stole second, advancing to third on a wild pitch and scoring on a groundout by Connors. In the second frame, the Great Danes loaded the bases, led by Butsch with a single to left. Gina Mason was walked by Siena’s Lauren Shaheen and catcher Kat Smith was hit by a pitch. Freshman shortstop Andrianna Walraven grounded out to second base, giving Butsch enough time to cross home for a two-run lead.

Siena cut the deficit in half in the top of the fifth frame, as pinch runner Stacie Sueda scored on an error by the first baseman. UAlbany added another run in the bottom half of the inning, as Connors drove an RBI single into left centerfield to score Walraven, who led off the inning with a walk.

The Saints loaded the bases in the top of the sixth against Rose, who entered the game for Powell to start the inning, and walked her first two batters faced. Jamie Piela recorded a bunt single to make the bags full with no outs. UAlbany recorded the first out, gunning down Jenny McNulty at home, but Lauren Weingart reached on a fielder’s choice to keep the bases loaded for Siena. Granato, who induced a walk from Rose earlier in the inning, scored on a fielder’s choice, as Piela was out at third. Stacey Landini tapped a ground ball back to Rose to end the inning.

Rose sealed the win for UAlbany in the top of the seventh, fanning three of four batters faced to earn her first career save. Powell and Rose each finished with three strikeouts while allowing just one hit apiece.

The Great Danes will return to action on Saturday, hosting Binghamton in their first America East Conference action of the season. The doubleheader will start at 12 p.m.