University of Albany's Gina Mason Belts Home Runs in Both Games of Softball's Doubleheader Sweep at Bryant - UAlbany Sports 2010

Smithfield, R.I. - Gina Mason hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning of the first game and blasted another home run in the final frame of the nightcap in leading UAlbany to a doubleheader sweep of Bryant in non-conference softball action on Thursday, April 1 at the Bryant Softball Complex. The Great Danes won the first game, 2-1, before taking the second by an 8-0 score in five innings due to the eight-run rule.

After rallying late to win the opener, UAlbany wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the first inning of the nightcap. Kristine Bill hit a one-out single to left and was driven home two batters later on a double to center by Mason. The Great Danes padded their lead by scoring three more times after the first two outs were recorded in the third. Kat Smith hit an RBI single to the shortstop, and Kylie Apostolina, the team's only freshman starting in the game, drove in two more on a single to left.

The Great Danes added an insurance run in the top of the fourth to take a 5-0 lead. Bailey Van Deest hit a leadoff single to center to begin the inning. Jessica Bergin, who entered the game as a pinch runner, stole second and came home two plays later on a double to the gap in right center by Andrianna Walraven.

Bryant (3-21), which ended the day on an eight-game skid, had its best chance to score in the bottom of the fourth. The Bulldogs loaded the bases with only one out, but Marissa Powell got out of the jam by striking out Lindsay Martin and forcing Lauren McCart to fly out to Bergin in right.

The Great Danes put the game away by scoring three times in the top of the fifth. Michelle Connors drilled a leadoff double to left field, and Mason followed up with her second two-run homer of the afternoon on the next play. Liz Noto, who entered the game as a pinch hitter, doubled to right center to cap the scoring.

UAlbany's Powell hurled her first complete-game shutout of the season and eighth of her career to improve her record to 2-5. She had two strikeouts while issuing just one walk and allowing five hits. Bryant's Brittany Hart suffered the loss and fell to 2-4 this spring. She surrendered nine hits and six runs while striking out six in four innings pitched. Kelly Cocco gave up two runs and three hits in one inning of relief.

Leah McIntosh started game one in top form for the Great Danes by fanning four of the first six batters she faced. However, it was the Bulldogs that got on the board first in the fourth after both teams left the bases loaded an inning earlier. Ali Chouinard and Kate Murray each singled with one out before advancing an extra base on an illegal pitch. A groundout to short by Martin allowed Chouinard to score the game's first run.

UAlbany took the lead for good when Mason belted a two-run homer to left center in the top of the sixth. Walraven, who singled to left to start the inning, also scored on the play. McIntosh did not allow any hits the rest of the way, which allowed the Great Danes to hold on for the win.

UAlbany's McIntosh was credited with the victory and went the distance to improve her overall ledger to 4-2 this season. She matched her season high of 11 strikeouts while only yielding one run and four hits. She struck out the side on two occasions and only allowed one of the four hits to reach the outfield. Bryant's Jennifer Jacob fell to 1-5 after giving up seven hits, two runs and issuing one walk.

UAlbany (10-9), which has won eight of its last nine games, resumes America East Conference action this weekend on the road against Hartford. The teams are slated to play a doubleheader on Saturday, Apr. 3 at 1 p.m. and a single game on Sunday, Apr. 4 at 12 p.m.

Paw Prints: Leah McIntosh, UAlbany's record holder with 667 strikeouts, entered the week among the national leaders with a career strikeout ratio of 9.7 ... In addition to being tied for 25th on the all-time list at the NCAA Division I level, her mark was ranked sixth in the nation among active players and fifth among current seniors.

UAlbany 000 002 0 2 7 1
Bryant 000 100 0 1 4 1
UAlbany: Leah McIntosh and Kat Smith.
Bryant: Jennifer Jacob and Ashley Coon.

UAlbany 103 13 8 12 0
Bryant 000 00 0 5 0
(Game was called after five innings due to eight-run rule)
UAlbany: Marissa Powell and Kat Smith, Lindsey Stout (4).
Bryant: Brittany Hart, Kelly Cocco (5) and Ashley Coon.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information