University of Albany Softball Tops Florida A&M, Falls To Florida Atlantic At FAU Invitational - UAlbany Sports 2015

BOCA RATON, Fla. – On day two of the Florida Atlantic Invitational, the University at Albany softball team again logged a split, overcoming Florida A&M, 4-3, before falling to the hosting FAU Owls, 10-1. The Great Danes are now 2-2 on the season. Serving as the visiting team in game one, the Great Danes took a quick 2-0 lead over Florida A&M in the top of the first. Senior Vicky McFarland led off with an infield single and then advanced to third following a stolen base and passed ball. Sophomore Kayla Bailey drove her home with an RBI single up the middle, and junior Maggie Cocks followed with a run-scoring triple to right. The Rattlers responded with three runs in the bottom of the third for a 3-2 advantage. Whitney Farris, Amanda Weaver and Jessica Nathan strung together a trio of singles, bringing in two with one out. However, UAlbany starting pitcher Erynn Sobieski recorded a strikeout and a groundout to get out of the jam. She did not allow another run the rest of the way. Trailing by one in the top of the fourth, Kelly Costello served as the spark, leading off with a single to short. She then stole second and moved to third on a throwing error, setting up Mackenzie Cleary’s game-tying RBI single to third. With one out, Cleary took advantage of the Rattlers’ miscues in the field, moving to second on an error and to third on a wild pitch. McFarland’s RBI groundout to second plated Cleary, representing the game-winning run. McFarland (2-for-3) and Cocks (2-for-4) led the Great Danes offensively with two hits apiece. Sobieski (1-0) earned the win, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits, while striking out six in seven innings of work. Also with a complete game, Veronica Burse took the loss for Florida A&M, giving up four runs (three earned) on 10 hits, while recording three strikeouts. In the nightcap, Florida Atlantic accelerated to a 5-0 head start in the top of the first, using a leadoff hit batsman and four straight hits. With one run in and bases loaded, Melissa Martinez lined a three-run double to right-center. She eventually scored on a fielding error before the Great Danes were able to work their way out of the jam. FAU added two more in the top of the third on Martinez’s two-run home run to left, giving the Owls a 7-0 advantage. UAlbany got on the board in the bottom of the frame, as McFarland drew a leadoff walk, advanced to third on Alexa Toole’s infield single, and scored on Cocks’ sacrifice fly. Unfortunately, that would be UAlbany’s lone run of the contest, as Florida Atlantic hurler Kylee Hanson (3-0) held the Great Danes to just three hits, while striking out eight. The Owls gradually built their lead to nine, ending the game after six innings. FAU scored one run in the fifth, as Martinez lined an RBI triple -- She finished the game a single shy of the cycle. In the sixth, FAU strung together three singles and a sac fly to plate two more runs. Toole (1-for-2), Elizabeth Snow (1-for-2), and Marlin Solano (1-for-2) represented UAlbany’s three hits in the game. In the circle, Mackenzie Thompson (1-1) took the loss, tossing the opening three innings. Making her collegiate debut, freshman Nicole Parks threw the final three frames, allowing three runs and six hits, while striking out one. The Great Danes will play their final game in the FAU Invitational Sunday at 11:15 a.m., and will look for their second win over the Florida A&M Rattlers.