University of Albany Softball Sweeps Maine in America East Conference Doubleheader

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Marissa Powell and Brittany Rose turned in two complete-game performances in the circle to lead UAlbany to a doubleheader sweep of Maine in America East Conference softball action on Saturday afternoon at Albany Field. The Great Danes won the first game, 9-5, and took the second by a score of 9-3.

Powell earned the win in the early contest, striking out six over seven innings. Maine jumped out to an early lead, scoring all five runs in the first frame. Second baseman Ashley Waters gave the Black Bears a 3-0 lead on a three-run, no-out homer, scoring Alexis Souhlaris and Whitney Spangler. Third baseman Terren Hall walked and shortstop Kristen Calvetti singled to center before first baseman Kirstin Allen drove an RBI single to right to send Hall home. Calvetti later scored on a fielder’s choice before Powell could induce the final two outs to get out of the inning.

UAlbany responded in the bottom of the first, scoring two runs on an RBI single by Meagan Butsch that scored left fielder Amber Maisonet and centerfielder Nicole Kothe, who got on base by way of a single and a walk, respectively.

The Great Danes were able to hold Maine scoreless for the remainder of the game, but added four runs in the bottom of the third on a two-RBI double by right fielder Bailey Van Deest and a two-run double by shortstop Andrianna Walraven. UAlbany added a single run in the fourth, as second baseman Michelle Connors hit a single up the middle to score pinch runner Kristine Bill, who came in to run for Kat Smith, who was hit by a pitch. Connors finished with three RBI in the game, as she drove a two-run homer over the left field fence in the bottom of the sixth to give the Great Danes a four-run advantage.

Jenna Balent took the loss in the circle for Maine (5-33, AE 5-5) in 4.0 innings of work. Cayleigh Montano entered in relief for the final two frames, striking out two without allowing a walk.

First baseman Leanne Tillman recorded three RBI off two hits to lead UAlbany in game two. The Great Danes started with the hot bats in the contest, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first. With the bases loaded, Van Deest knocked a two-run single to right field, scoring Maisonet and Connors. Butsch scored the third run for UAlbany on a sacrifice fly by Walraven, and Tillman drove in Van Deest on a single to center.

The Great Danes added two runs in the bottom of the second, with both runs coming due to Maine throwing errors. The Black Bears cut into the deficit in the fourth frame, as Waters and Hall hit back-to-back home runs to left field.

UAlbany added three runs in the bottom half of the fifth inning, with Tillman recording two RBI on a double to left field which scored Walraven and designated player Gina Mason. Smith knocked an RBI single during the next at bat, scoring Tara Dalton, who entered to run for Tillman. Maine was able to get one more run scored in the sixth, but Rose worked out of a bases-loaded jam, inducing a ground-out by Spangler to end the inning.

Rose finished with eight strikeouts for UAlbany (19-11, AE 7-1), and improved to 3-1 on the season. Souhlaris took the loss for Maine, allowing all nine Great Dane runs. Sophomore Christine McGivney tossed one inning in relief.

UAlbany and Maine will complete the three-game conference series on Sunday, beginning at 12 p.m.

-agate-

Maine 500 000 0 - 5 9 0

UAlbany 204 102 x - 9 8 2

Maine: Jenna Balent, Cayleigh Montano (5) and Whitney Spangler.

UAlbany: Marissa Powell and Kat Smith.



Maine (5-33, AE 5-5) 000 201 0 - 3 9 1

UAlbany (19-11, AE 7-1) 420 030 x - 9 9 1

Maine: Alexis Souhlaris, Christine McGivney and Whitney Spangler.

UAlbany: Brittany Rose and Kat Smith.