Kat Smith Leads UAlbany Over UMBC, 3-2, in America East Softball Action

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Baltimore, Md. – Sophomore catcher Kat Smith drove a home run to right centerfield to score the go-ahead run in the sixth inning in leading UAlbany to a 3-2 win over UMBC in America East Conference softball action on Sunday afternoon at UMBC Softball Stadium.

UAlbany (14-10, AE 2-0) scored first, as designated player Gina Mason hit her second home run of the season over the fence in left centerfield in the top of the second inning. UMBC (14-18, AE 3-1) responded in the bottom of the frame as first baseman Ashley Gray drove a homer of her own to center. The Retrievers went ahead, 2-1, in the next inning when second baseman Dana Shepherd hit a solo shot out of the park in left field.

Smith recorded one of her two RBI’s in the next inning, as she drove a double into right field that scored Meagan Butsch, who led off the inning by drawing a walk off starting pitcher Amanda Fefel. UMBC got a runner in scoring position in their half of the frame, but UAlbany’s Leah McIntosh struck out Stephanie Weigman to end the inning.

After a scoreless fifth, Smith drove her first homer of the season over the fence, giving the Great Danes a one-run advantage. McIntosh delivered six straight outs in the sixth and seventh to hold off UMBC and seal the win for UAlbany.

McIntosh tossed her 10th complete game, improving to 8-3 on the season, striking out nine over seven innings. Fefel fanned four for UMBC before being relieved by Weigman, who took the loss for the Retrievers. Weigman also struck out four opposing batters in 3.2 innings of work.

The teams will wrap up the conference series on Monday, playing a doubleheader starting at 12 noon.

-agate-

UAlbany (14-10, AE 2-0) 010 101 0 - 3 7 2

UMBC (14-18, AE 3-1) 011 000 0 - 2 6 0

UAlbany: Leah McIntosh and Kat Smith.

UMBC: Amanda Fefel, Stephanie Weigman (4) and Kali Shirk.