University of Albany's Back-to-Back Homers by Connors and Mason Spark Rally in Softball's 4-3 Win Over Boston U. - UAlbany Sports 2010

Albany, N.Y. - Michelle Connors and Gina Mason hit back-to-back home runs to spark a comeback and Jessica Bergin delivered what would stand as the game-winning hit later in the same inning as UAlbany rallied to earn a 4-3 victory over Boston University in America East Conference softball action on Sunday, April 11 at Albany Field. The Great Danes trailed 3-1 and had just one hit through the first three innings before the offensive outburst in the fourth put them over the top.

Boston U. (20-13, AE 5-1) scattered three hits in the top of the first to jump out to a 2-0 lead. Rachel Hebert led off with a triple down the right field line and came home two plays later on a bloop single to center by April Setterlund. After stealing second, Setterlund scored the Terriers' second run on a single by Rachel Moeller.

UAlbany cut the lead in half in the bottom of the third. Kylie Apostolina drew a one-out walk and was pushed up to second on a sacrifice bunt by Nicole Kothe. Andrianna Walraven followed with a single to right field, allowing the freshman third baseman to score. Walraven stole second to move into scoring position, but the next batter was caught looking to end the inning.

After the Terriers took advantage of two Great Dane errors in the infield to regain their two-run lead in the top of the fourth, the hosts rallied to score three times in the bottom of the inning to take a 4-3 lead. Connors and Mason hit back-to-back home runs down the left field line to tie the score at three. Kat Smith then blasted a double off the top of the wall to dead center which fell just inches shy of gracing the fence, chasing starting pitcher Cassidi Hardy out of the game.

Facing Whitney Tuthill, who hurled a one-hitter in the nightcap of yesterday's doubleheader, Bergin singled in pinch runner Stephanie Talerico for what would later stand as the game-winning hit. It was also the Great Danes' fourth straight hit in the inning. After the first out was recorded, Apostolina was issued another walk to place runners on first and second with only one out. However, the next hitter was called out on batter's interference while Bergin and Apostolina were attempting a double steal. Tuthill got out of the inning on Hebert's basket catch at first base.

After stranding two runners in the fifth, the Terriers threatened to score once again in the top of the seventh. With two outs and runners on first and second after Setterlund was intentionally walked, Marissa Powell forced Caitlin Rentler to fly out to Diane MacDowell in center to end the game.

UAlbany's Powell went the distance and improved her record to 4-7 as the winning pitcher. She allowed five hits, three runs, including two earned, and issued four walks while striking out two. In addition, the senior did not allow an earned run over the last six innings. BU's Hardy suffered her first loss in conference play and dropped to 12-5 overall. After a stellar start, the senior finished the day yieliding four hits and four runs in three innings. She struck out six and issued only one walk. Tuthill relieved Hardy for the last three innings. The freshman, who did not surrender any runs, allowed two hits and registered one strikeout and one walk.

UAlbany (13-14, AE 5-4), which played all five of its games this week against teams that reached the 2009 NCAA Tournament, will travel to Manhattan on Tuesday, April 13 for a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.
Paw Prints: Michelle Connors, who went 2-for-3 in the game, hit her 32nd career double in the fifth inning to move into a tie for second on the all-time list with Maegan Larsen ... She needs seven more to eclipse the record of 38, which is currently held by Kelly Ogden ... The senior, who went yard for the 21st time of her career in the fourth, also ranks third on the program's all-time list for home runs.

Boston U. 200 100 0 3 5 0
UAlbany 001 300 x 4 6 3

Boston U.: Cassidi Hardy, Whitney Tuthill (4) and Caitlin Rentler.
UAlbany: Marissa Powell and Kat Smith.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information