University of Albany Softball Sweeps Doubleheader From Siena Again - UAlbany Sports 2010

Albany, N.Y. - Leah McIntosh hurled a complete-game shutout in the opener and Kristine Bill drove in two runs in the nightcap in leading UAlbany to a doubleheader sweep of Siena in non-conference softball action on Wednesday, March 24 at Albany Field. The Great Danes won the first game, 4-0, and captured the nightcap by a 4-2 decision to extend their winning streak to 13 straight games against their crosstown rival.

In game two, Siena (2-14) tallied a run in the top of the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead. Sara Gallacchi doubled down the left field line and came home two batters later when Lauren Weingart hit a two-bagger to right.

UAlbany answered with three runs in the bottom of the first, scoring all the runs with two outs. Amanda Filippazzo walked the bases loaded after retiring the first two batters, and Bill followed up with a two-run single to put the Great Danes ahead. A passed ball on the next play allowed Kat Smith to score what would be the eventual game-winning run.

The hosts, which were held to just three hits in the nightcap, added another run to go ahead by three in the fifth. Nicole Kothe walked to open the frame and was sacrificed over to second by Michelle Connors. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, Kothe came home for UAlbany's fourth run on a sacrifice fly to center by Gina Mason.

Siena made an attempt to rally in the top of the seventh. Vaughn walked to start the inning and advanced to second two batters later on a single to left field by Jessica Mushel. Ferro followed with a single to plate Vaughn with only one out. Gallacchi then reached on a fielder's choice, but Connors was able to get the lead runner at third for the inning's second out. Shannon Jones, who was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week on Monday, had a chance to extend the inning as the winning run at the plate. The freshman drilled a shot that appeared to be headed to the gap in the left center, but shortstop Andrianna Walraven leaped and made a game-saving catch, snagging the ball which was hit well over her head, to end the contest.

UAlbany's Allie Weiser went the distance and improved to 3-2 on the year. She struck out eight batters, issued only one walk and surrendered two runs and seven hits. Siena's Filippazzo dropped to 1-9 in the losing effort. She recorded two strikeouts and allowed three hits and four runs, including three earned. The sophomore also issued six walks.

The opener started as a pitcher's duel between McIntosh and Filippazzo, as the first 10 outs between the teams were recorded by strikeouts and the first hit wasn't posted until the bottom of the third inning. UAlbany got on the scoreboard first by plating one run in the fourth on a double to left by Smith.

McIntosh had a no-hitter going through 4-2/3 innings, but a single down the left field line by Nastasha Powlowsky gave the Saints some life. Alexis Gonzalez singled to keep the inning going, but McIntosh fanned Lindsey McCeever to end the frame.

UAlbany scored two more times to take a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth. Bailey Van Deest reached on an infield error to start the frame, and a long single to dead center allowed Diane MacDowell, who entered the game as a pinch runner, to score. Hitting with two runners in scoring position and one out later in the inning, Connors grounded out to the pitcher, allowing Walraven to score from third. However, Filipazzo escaped any further trouble by striking out the next batter.

The Great Danes added one more run for insurance in the sixth. Smith hit a leadoff double to center, and was pushed over to third when Kylie Apostolina grounded out to short on the next play. Another error by the third baseman allowed the catcher to score one play later. Siena got the leadoff batter on in the top of the seventh courtesy of a single by Weingart, but McIntosh was able to earn her second straight shutout against the Saints by striking out Courtney Mahan and forcing Emily Snow to line into a double play.

UAlbany's McIntosh improved her record to 3-1 this season and dropped her earned run average to 0.88 by fanning 11 Saints hitters. She also did not issue a walk for the second straight game. Filippazzo dropped to 1-8 at the time despite registering seven strikeouts. She surrendered four hits and four runs while walking three.

UAlbany (6-8), which has won four straight games after dropping eight of its first 10, opens up America East Conference play this weekend at home against Binghamton. The two squads are scheduled to play a doubleheader on Saturday, March 27 beginning at 1 p.m. The series finale will start at 12 p.m. on Sunday, March 28.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information