University of Albany Softball Takes Two From Cornell, 10-4 and 2-1 In Eight - UAlbany Sports 2015

ALBANY, N.Y. – Wrapping up a 12-game home stand Wednesday at Albany Field, the University at Albany softball team swept the non-conference doubleheader against the visiting Cornell Big Red, 10-4 and 2-1 in eight innings. With the pair of wins, the Great Danes improved to 21-10 on the season, while Cornell fell to 9-20. “We’re happy to get the two wins,” said Head Coach Chris Cannata. “We hit well in the first game, but we left a lot of runners on base in the second. These were two good games to see what we need to clean up before this weekend.” In game one, UAlbany took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, as Alexa Toole drew a one-out walk, Maggie Cocks knocked an RBI doubled to left-center and Liz Snow ripped a run-scoring single down the left field line. The Danes steadily built their lead, plating one in the second on Vicky McFarland’s double down the left field line that brought home Jess Tate who reached on a one-out single through the right side. In the third, Snow made it a four-run game with her leadoff home run off the scoreboard in left field. However, Cornell rallied for four runs of its own in the top of the fourth, stringing together three straight singles to load the bases, followed by Taylor Goodin’s two-run double to right-centerfield. With two outs, Chloe Pendergast also doubled, plating two more to tie the game, 4-4. Patient at the plate, Lindsey Haskell and Toole drew walks and Cocks singled through the left side in the bottom of the fourth, setting up Snow’s two RBI single to the same location. The runs gave UAlbany the lead for good. In the fifth, the Great Danes tacked on four insurance runs for a 10-4 advantage. Leading off, Kayla Bailey laid down a bunt single and Samantha Broking followed with a liner through the left side. With one out, McFarland reached on a fielder’s choice and Toole followed with a two-run scoring single to center. Cocks capped the frame with a two-out and full count home run over the left field fence. Freshman Devin Durando earned her first of two wins on the day, throwing the complete game. She allowed four runs and six hits, while striking out eight. For Cornell, starter Sierra Stone (1-6) took the loss, allowing six runs and eight hits, striking out three in 3.1 innings of work. Out of the pen, Katie Carmichael threw the final 2.2 frames, getting credited with four runs and five hits, while striking out two. Offensively, UAlbany put 13 hits up on the board led by Snow’s 3-for-3 performance with four RBI and a run scored. Cocks went 3-for-4 with two runs batted in and two runs scored, while Broking also had a multi-hit effort going 2-for-2 off the bench. Quite the opposite of game one, the nightcap featured just nine hits and three runs combined. After having bases loaded in the first, UAlbany finally pushed a run through in the third, as McFarland led off with a single through the right side, stole second, and scored on Toole’s RBI single up the middle. After a pair of walks loaded the bases, Cornell worked its way out of the jam with back-to-back plays at the plate that held the score at 1-0. In the top of the seventh, the Big Red tied it up, stringing together a pair of singles and a sacrifice fly to left. Looking to walk off with the win, the Great Danes loaded the bases again in the bottom of the seventh on McFarland’s bunt single and Snow and Solano’s consecutive walks with two outs. However, Kelly Costello’s screamer to center was snagged by outfielder Meg Parker, sending the game to extras. In the eighth, Durando sat the Big Red down in order, leading to the Danes’ winning at-bats. With Costello starting at second, freshman Mackenzie Cleary’s sac bunt moved Costello to third, and Caitlin Cooper played hero with a game-winning sac fly to right. Going 2-for-4 with a run scored, McFarland led the Danes’ offensive output that totaled five hits in the victory. In the circle, Durando (10-2) earned her second win of the afternoon, tossing the final 3.2 innings out of the pen. She held the Big Red to one unearned run and two hits. Starter Mackenzie Thompson threw the opening 2.2 scoreless innings, before being relieved by freshman Nicole Parks in the third. Parks limited Cornell to just one hit in 1.2 innings. Cornell’s Maddie Orcutt (6-9) took the loss, tossing all eight. Up next, UAlbany travels to Binghamton for a three-game conference series Saturday and Sunday