University of Albany Softball Captures America East Championship By Sweeping Boston University - UAlbany Sports 2011

Boston, Mass. - Brittany MacFawn was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after pitching a complete-game two-hitter and leading UAlbany to the 2011 America East Conference Softball Championship title, as the Great Danes defeated Boston U., 3-1, on Saturday afternoon at the BU Softball Field. It is UAlbany's fourth league championship title, and first since 2007.

UAlbany broke a scoreless tie with three runs in the top of the third inning. After Mel Herndon scored on a Boston U. error, Katie Wambold, who was named to the all-tournament team for her efforts, recorded a two-RBI single that bounced off the arm of Boston U. pitcher Holli Floetker and went into right field. Diane MacDowell and Andrianna Walraven came home on the play. The three runs would be all the Great Danes would need, as Boston U. got one run back in the fourth on an RBI-double by Megan Volpano that scored Jayme Mask.

MacFawn, who was also joined on the all-tournament team by Walraven and fellow pitcher Brittany Schweiger, did not issue a walk and struck out eight opposing batters in the game, her third appearance of the weekend. Floetker took the loss on the mound for Boston U. (34-18).

"We had great pitching all weekend long," said UAlbany head coach Chris Cannata, who has now led the Great Dane program to four tournament and regular season titles, and is now just four games shy of her 500th career win. "Our pitching was key - we only allowed one run each game. We got great performances from both of the Brittany's [MacFawn and Schweiger] and we all came together at the right time."

The Great Danes, who have now earned their fourth NCAA Tournament berth, will find out where they will travel for the first round of NCAA Regional play on Sunday evening at 10 p.m. The NCAA Softball Selection Show will be televised on ESPNU, and the UAlbany team, coaches and supporters will gather in the SEFCU Arena Hall of Fame Room to watch the program.