University of Albany Softball Sweeps Siena In Wednesday’s Doubleheader - UAlbany Sports 2015

ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany softball team swept Wednesday afternoon’s doubleheader against cross-town rival Siena, mercy ruling the Saints in game one, 8-0, before rallying for a 6-4 come from behind victory in the nightcap. With the wins, the Great Danes improved to 27-16 on the season, while Siena fell to 17-24-1. “It’s not about who we played today, it’s about us getting back on track and doing the things that we need to do,” said Head Coach Chris Cannata. “We need play defense behind out pitchers, our pitchers need to throw strikes, and we need to have quality at-bats in both games. We did that today.” In the opener, freshman hurler Erynn Sobieski tossed a complete-game shutout, scattering two hits while striking out two. She faced just two over the minimum and did not issue a single walk in the victory. Offensively, Sobieski earned plenty of support, as the Danes recorded 10 hits for eight runs. UAlbany scored first in the bottom of the third as Alexa Toole led off with a walk, and Kayla Bailey and Maggie Cocks ripped back-to-back singles. Cocks’ misplayed liner to left got by the Siena defense, allowing both Toole and Bailey to score. In the fifth, UAlbany rallied with two outs, as Liz Snow singled to left and Kelly Costello walked, setting up senior Marlin Solano’s three home run over the centerfield wall. Jess Tate reached on an error and junior Lindsey Haskell kept the inning alive with an RBI double to left, giving the Great Danes a 6-0 advantage. With the eight-run mercy rule approaching, Vicky McFarland led off the bottom of the seventh with a solo homer to left, extending her hitting streak to 21 games. Caitlin Cooper followed with a single and advanced to second on an outfield error, setting up Maggie Cocks’ walk-off RBI single to centerfield. Cocks, Solano, and Haskell led UAlbany at the plate with two hits apiece. Siena starter Amanda Gatt (8-9) took the loss, allowing six runs (four earned) and seven hits, while striking out four in 4.2 innings. Reliever Antonia Edwards was credited two runs and three hits in a third. In the nightcap, the Danes struck first again, scoring two runs in the opening frame. Loading the bases on a pair of walks and Cocks’ single up the middle, Solano came through with a two-out single to left, giving UAlbany a 2-0 head start. However, the Saints responded in the second with a quick four runs. Paige Hess and Alyssa Lancaster lined consecutive doubles to score one run, and Melanie Kalesse’s single up the middle set up Bridget Connors’ three-run home run over the left field fence. Those would be Siena’s final runs, however, as reliever Devin Durando came out of the pen to throw five scoreless and hitless innings, while striking out eight. Trailing 4-2, UAlbany made it a one-run game in the fourth on Cocks’ RBI single to left that plated Mackenzie Cleary. With time running out, the Great Danes turned the game around in the sixth sparked by McFarland’s one-out single through the left side. Battling at the plate, Toole belted a two-run home run just over the centerfield wall, giving the Danes’ a 5-4 lead. Cocks followed up with her fourth hit of the game, driving a double to left-centerfield, and Snow knocked her home with a single to right-center. “I didn’t think it was out, but I knew Vicky was going score and we were at least going to tie it,” said Cannata. “It was a good comeback for us.” Durando (13-5) earned the win after relieving starter Mackenzie Thompson in the third. Lauren Butts (8-9) took the loss, allowing six runs and 10 hits, while striking out four in the complete game. At the plate, Cocks led the squad, going 4-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. McFarland went 2-for-4, extending her hitting streak to 22 games, while Snow also logged two hits in the triumph. Up next, UAlbany closes the 2015 regular season, hosting Hartford Friday and Saturday in a key America East Conference series. Friday’s doubleheader will begin at 2 p.m., while Saturday’s Senior Game will have a 12:30 p.m. first pitch.