Softball Falls to Top-Seeded Boston University, 2-0, in America East Tournament Opener

Orono, Maine - Senior pitcher Cassidi Hardy hurled a one-hitter and registered 12 strikeouts to lead Boston University past UAlbany, 2-0, in the opening round of the America East Conference Softball Championship on Thursday, May 13 at the University of Maine's Kessock Field.

Boston U. (32-19), which is looking to win its second straight tournament title, made the first threat to get on the scoreboard by loading the bases with no outs in the second. However, pitcher Marissa Powell got out of the major jam by inducing a flyout and fanning the next two hitters.

The Terriers tallied the game's only two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Taylor Cowan smacked an RBI single past a diving Michelle Connors, who was shielded by a runner trying to advance to second. Following a fielder's choice play for the inning's second out, Rachel Hebert singled through the left side to plate Caitlin Rentler.

UAlbany (20-22), which has qualified for the tournament every year since joining the conference in 2002, made its best effort to get on the board in the top of the fifth. Jessica Bergin, who was named a first-team all-conference selection yesterday, reached on a one-out infield single and stole second. However, the next two batters struck out to end the inning.

The Great Danes made one last attempt to rally in the top of the seventh. Gina Mason reached on an error by the Terrier shortstop with one out, but she was unable to advance. Hardy, who was named the league's pitcher of the year, forced the next batter to fly to right before fanning the final Great Dane hitter to end the game.

BU's Hardy, who has thrown 28 scoreless innings over the last five games, picked up the victory to improve to 18-7 this season. She fanned 12 batters while yielding just one hit and issuing one walk. UAlbany's Powell suffered the loss and fell to 7-12. She allowed nine hits and two runs while fanning five hitters and issuing two walks.

UAlbany will look to regroup and continue its run for a fourth America East title tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. against the loser of the afternoon's second game between No. 2 Maine and No. 3 Stony Brook.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information