Softball Splits Pair of Sunday Games to End Play at Stetson's Hatter Classic in Florida

DeLand, Fla. - Allie Weiser earned her first collegiate win on the hill and Andrianna Walraven had three hits and three stolen bases in leading the UAlbany softball team to a 6-1 victory over Bethune-Cookman at Stetson's Hatter Classic on Sunday, Feb. 28 at Patricia Wilson Field. The Great Danes closed out the weekend tournament with a 5-1 loss to Stetson later in the day.

After Bethune-Cookman (4-8) plated the first run in the top of the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Cesley Tafoya, UAlbany used aggressive baserunning and took advantage of multiple errors to erupt for five runs in the bottom of the fifth. With one out, Diane MacDowell singled to pitcher Allison Garcia, stole second and advanced to third on a wild throw. Walraven hit one of her three singles in the game to plate MacDowell and stole second and third shortly afterwards.

Kristine Bill sent Walraven home by singling to Garcia and took third on the next play thanks to Nicole Kothe's sacrifice bunt in which the pitcher threw the ball past her target at first. Gina Mason followed with a two-RBI single to right center. After the second out was recorded, Michelle Connors singled to left center to score Mason. Kayla Cilley, who led off the sixth inning as a pinch hitter for Katie Wambold, crushed her first career home run over the fence in left for insurance.

Weiser earned her first collegiate win on the hill and improved to 1-1 on the year by going the distance and striking out five batters for UAlbany. She allowed five hits, including only one for extra bases, and one run. In addition, the freshman who has pitched a perfect game on the scholastic level did not issue a walk and finished the weekend with a 1.50 earned run average. Garcia of Bethune-Cookman surrendered 10 hits and six runs, including four earned, and fanned four batters in the losing effort to drop to 4-4.

In the second game of the day, Stetson (6-6) got all the scoring it needed in the bottom of the opening frame. Amy Joyce drew a leadoff walk and stole second to start things off, and Chelsey Trotto plated the senior before the first out could be recorded on a double down the line in right field. A home run to left by Katie Lawrence gave the Hatters a 3-0 advantage.

UAlbany had its best chance to do some damage offensively in the top of the fifth. Jessica Bergin led off with a single to center before advancing to second on a wild pitch. Walraven, who batted .538 in the tournament, followed with a single to right to load the bases with still nobody down. However, pitcher Amanda Lindsey got out of the major jam by striking out the next three Great Dane hitters.

With two down in the bottom half of the same frame, Stetson got two more runs to extend its advantage to five on a double to right center by Lindsey and a single to left by Jessica Lokeinsky on consecutive plays before Marissa Powell fanned Chelsea Whalley to end the inning. Connors scored the Great Dane run on a wild pitch in the top of the sixth to seal the final outcome.

Stetson's Courtney Gunby got the nod to start and struck out five while allowing five hits in 3.2 innings of work. She was relieved by Lindsey, who was credited with the victory and improved to 6-2. She struck out six while allowing four hits and a run in 3.1 innings. UAlbany's Powell dropped to 0-2 this spring after surrendering 10 hits and five runs. The senior also fanned five batters.

UAlbany (1-3) will take the next week off and be back in action when it travels to Virginia to participate in the Cherry Blossom Classic at George Mason from March 12-14. The Great Danes will compete against Cornell, the reigning Ivy League champion, Mount Saint Mary's, Niagara and the host school at the three-day event.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information