Three Tournaments and NCAA Championship Participants Highlight 2010 UAlbany Softball Schedule

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced today the school's 2010 softball schedule. The Great Danes, who have won three America East Conference tournament championships, will compete in three tournaments, face a challenging conference slate, and play at least five games against NCAA Tournament participants from last season.

UAlbany kicks off the season at the Hatter Classic, hosted by Stetson of the Atlantic Sun Conference, on Feb. 26-28 in Florida. The tournament will also feature Bethune-Cookman, the runner-up squad in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference last season, Boston College of the Atlantic Coast Conference and the host school. The Great Danes also opened up their 2009 season at Stetson, placing second in the field.

Two weeks later, the Great Danes will embark on a trip to Virginia to play in the Mason Cherry Blossom Classic, hosted by George Mason of the Colonial Athletic Association, on March 12-14. UAlbany will face Cornell, last year's Ivy League champion, on consecutive days in addition to Niagara, the runner-up team in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, and Mount Saint Mary's of the Northeast Conference.

The Great Danes will trek back down to Virginia for Radford's Highlander Classic on March 20-21. The Highlanders registered 41 victories and won their first Big South Conference title last season. Kent State of the Mid-American Conference and Siena will also be in the field.

UAlbany's home opener will be against Siena in a non-league doubleheader at 2:30 p.m. on March 24 at Albany Field. The Great Danes won all four meetings between the clubs last spring. The teams meet again in Loudonville on April 27. In addition, the Great Danes will play non-conference doubleheaders on the road against Bryant (March 31), Cornell (April 7), Manhattan (April 13), Dartmouth (April 21) and Seton Hall (April 29).

Head coach Chris Cannata's squad will host America East opponents Binghamton (March 27-28), Boston University (April 10-11) and Maine (April 17-18). The team will travel to conference foes Hartford (April 3-4), Stony Brook (April 24-25) and UMBC (May 8-9) to close out the regular season. Five of the seven America East teams, including UAlbany, won at least 30 games last season. The mark was only bettered by the Big 12, Pacific-10 and Southeastern conferences. In addition, the America East champion has advanced to the NCAA regional final twice in the past three seasons.

UAlbany returns eight players who have earned all-conference or all-rookie team honors in their respective careers, which is the most of any school in the conference. Senior hurler Leah McIntosh, one of six seniors on the veteran squad, threw a national-best four perfect games in 2009 and was named the program's fourth America East pitcher of the year in the past seven seasons. She also landed on the NFCA All-Northeast Region First Team. Senior catcher Kat Smith, who has caught seven no-hitters, junior first baseman Gina Mason and junior utility player Kristine Bill are returning All-America East second-team selections.

2010 University at Albany Softball Schedule

February - 26 (Fri.) vs. Boston College!, 11 a.m.; 26 (Fri.) vs. Bethune-Cookman!, 1:30 p.m.; 27 (Sat.) vs. Bethune-Cookman!, 11 a.m.; 27 (Sat.) at Stetson!, 4 p.m.; 28 (Sun.) Consolation/Championship Games!, TBA.

March - 12 (Fri.) at George Mason#, 1:30 p.m.; 13 (Sat.) vs. Mount Saint Mary's#, 11:30 a.m.; 13 (Sat.) vs. Cornell#, 4:30 p.m.; 14 (Sun.) vs. Niagara#, 9 a.m.; 14 (Sun.) vs. Cornell#, 11:30 a.m.; 20 (Sat.) vs. Kent State$, 10 a.m.; 20 (Sat.) vs. Radford$, 2 p.m., 21 (Sun.) vs. Siena$, 10 a.m.; 21 (Sun.) Championship/Consolation Games$, 2/4 p.m.; 24 (Wed.) Siena (DH), 2:30 p.m.; 27 (Sat.) Binghamton* (DH), 1 p.m.; 28 (Sun.) Binghamton*, 12 p.m.; 31 (Wed.) at Bryant (DH), 3 p.m.

April - 3 (Sat.) at Hartford* (DH), 1 p.m.; 4 (Sun.) at Hartford*, 12 p.m.; 7 (Wed.) at Cornell (DH) 3 p.m.; 10 (Sat.) Boston U.* (DH), 1 p.m.; 11 (Sun.) Boston U.*, 12 p.m.; 13 (Tue.) at Manhattan (DH) 3 p.m.; 17 (Sat.) Maine* (DH), 1 p.m.; 18 (Sun.) Maine*, 12 p.m. 21 (Wed.) at Dartmouth (DH) 3 p.m.; 24 (Sat.) at Stony Brook* (DH), 1 p.m.; 25 (Sun.) at Stony Brook*, 12 p.m.; 27 (Tue.) at Siena (DH), 3 p.m.; 29 (Thu.) at Seton Hall (DH), 3 p.m.

May - 8 (Sat.) at UMBC* (DH), 1 p.m.; 9 (Sun.) at UMBC* 12 p.m.

*America East Conference Opponent !Stetson's Hatter Classic
#George Mason's Cherry Blossom Classic $Radford's Highlander Classic


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Softball Conducts Walk-On Tryouts on September 9-10 - UAlbany Sports 2009

Albany, N.Y. - Head softball coach Chris Cannata has announced that walk-on tryouts for the University at Albany program will be held on September 9-10. There will be one session each day for interested students at Albany Field.
Open try-out dates/times are as follows:

Wednesday, September 9: 3:15 p.m. (softball field)
Thursday, September 10: 3:00 p.m. (softball field)

Those individuals expressing interest must complete and bring (1) complete NCAA compliance paperwork and (2) written documentation of an updated physical done by a physician at home, which states they are cleared to participate in athletic activities. The physical must be conducted no more than six months prior to the first day of tryouts. Individuals must provide both pieces of paperwork to participate in the tryouts.

The link for the NCAA compliance form is
https://admin.xosn.com/attachments1/5754.pdf?SPSID=82359&SPID=7966&DB_OEM_ID=15800

If interested, please get in contact with assistant coach Mairin Dudek by either phone or email or stop by the softball office in the Physical Education Building.

Email: mdudek@uamail.albany.edu
Phone: 518-591-8652


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Butsch and McIntosh Named to NFCA Division I All-Northeast Region First Team - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Hanover, N.H. – Senior third baseman Meagan Butsch and junior pitcher Leah McIntosh were both named to the Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division I All-Northeast Region First Team, as announced by the NFCA on Thursday, May 14. Both student-athletes helped the Great Danes set a school record for winning 38 games and advance to the championship round of the America East Conference Tournament for the fifth straight season.

Butsch earned her first all-regional selection after being named the America East co-player of the year as well as garnering spots on the all-conference first team and all-championship squad. The senior broke school records for home runs in a career (31) and a single season (16). She led the league in home runs, runs scored (50), on-base percentage (.492), slugging percentage and tied for first in RBI (44). Butsch finished her career ranked second all-time in RBI (121), tied for third in doubles (31) and fifth in hits (177) and runs scored (123).

McIntosh, who was a second-team all-regional selection in 2008, was the fourth Great Dane in the past seven seasons to be honored as the America East pitcher of the year. The junior, who was also placed on the all-conference first team for the second straight time, hurled a national-best four perfect games as well as 10 shutouts this season. She broke the Division I program records for career strikeouts (621) and no-hitters (6) while leading the league with a 1.34 ERA and averaging 10.7 strikeouts per seven innings. It marked the second straight season she ranked first in America East in both categories, while her mark for strikeouts is also fourth in the country.

University of Albany Softball Beats Stony Brook In Semi-Final, Loses To BU In America East Championship Final - UAlbany Sports 2009

Senior pitcher Cassidi Hardy tossed a five-hitter in leading Boston University to a 7-1 victory over UAlbany in the championship final of the America East Conference Softball Tournament on Saturday, May 9 at Stony Brook’s University Field. The Terriers, who earned an automatic NCAA berth, won their first conference crown since 2003 and seventh overall.

Hardy, the championship’s most outstanding player, was in complete in control in winning her third tournament game in as many days. She struck out one and walked none in improving to 25-5 in the circle and recording her 26th complete game this spring. Boston U. (41-16) became the third consecutive team to sweep all three tourney games en route to the title. Stony Brook and UAlbany also accomplished that feat in 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The Terriers built a 5-0 lead after three innings. Brooke Hudson and Emily Roesch put together consecutive doubles in the second, before Rachel Hebert added an RBI single. Shayne Lotito and April Setterlund led off the third with back-to-back home runs. Melissa Dubay singled and later came across on Nora Militz’s sacrifice fly.

The Great Danes, who dropped a 4-3 extra-inning decision to Boston U. in Friday’s first round, got on the scoreboard in the fourth when the America East co-player of the year Meagan Butsch belted a two-out home run, her school-record 16th of the season. Boston U. added two more runs in the sixth that were aided by three errors and a wild pitch.

“We are very disappointed with the outcome,” said UAlbany coach Chris Cannata, whose program had worked its way to the championship round for the fifth consecutive year. “However, we still have a lot to be proud of. We broke the school record for victories, and 38 wins is a great season for us. Getting to the championship game is a big accomplishment.”

In the loser’s bracket final that preceded the championship in this double-elimination tournament, Gina Mason slammed a three-run homer, her eighth of the season, in the fifth inning to lift UAlbany (38-16) past defending conference champion Stony Brook, 4-1. After a two-hour weather delay, Stony Brook (36-14) took a 1-0 lead in the second when all-conference third base Kelly Oberto hit a solo blast over the right-field fence. UAlbany tied the contest in the third. Jessica Bergin led off with a double, but Seawovles’ ace Alyssa Struzenberg struck out the next two batters. Butsch followed with a run-scoring single to right field.

UAlbany starting pitcher Leah McIntosh ran into some mild trouble with two runners aboard and one out in the fourth. But McIntosh got Kendall Blumenthal to pop out to the shortstop and Jade Clare to strike out swinging. McIntosh, who recorded five strikeouts, was then lifted for reliever Marissa Powell in the top of the fifth after throwing 73 pitches.

The Great Danes broke the tie in the fifth in advancing to their fifth consecutive championship final. Bergin walked to start the inning and was sacrificed to second. After Struzenberg struck out Nicole Kothe looking, Butsch was intentionally walked. Mason then drilled a 3-1 pitch to dead center that cleared the fence by nearly 40 feet for a 4-1 lead.

UAlbany Softball Upends UMBC, Moves On To America East Semi-Final Saturday @ Noon - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Stony Brook, N.Y. – Meagan Butsch homered, doubled twice and scored three runs to lead UAlbany to a 5-1 victory over UMBC in the loser’s bracket of the America East Conference Softball Championship on Friday, May 8 at Stony Brook’s University Field. The Great Danes, who lost in extra innings to start the day, will face Stony Brook on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. in an elimination game.

UAlbany (37-15) trailed 1-0 with two outs in the third inning when Butsch slammed her school-record 15th home run of the season over the left-field fence. The Great Danes scored times in the fifth to break the tie. Butsch doubled into the right-field gap to start the uprising, before Gina Mason was hit by a pitch. Michelle Connors pushed Butsch across with a fielders’ choice ground ball. Bailey Van Deest, who had two hits, drove in another run with a ground ball to the shortshop. The throw went to the plate, but catcher Amanda Page couldn’t hang on to the ball which allowed a sliding Mason to score. Connors also came home on the same play as the ball went to the back of the fence.

The Great Danes, who set the program’s single-season standard with their 37th win, tacked on an insurance run in the sixth. Butsch, the America East co-player of the year, delivered a one-out double before moving to third on a passed ball. Connors, who totaled two hits with two RBIs, then doubled to right field.

Starting pitcher Marissa Powell upped her record to 19-10 by scattering four hits, while striking out four and walking one. Powell, who threw her 25th complete game of the season, sent UMBC hitters down in order in four of seven innings, including one-two-three in the final frame. The Retrievers finished 34-21 overall.

“We had a very disappointing loss to start the day, and we could have packed our bags up because it was very emotional,” said UAlbany coach Chris Cannata, whose team has won three previous America East championships. “However, we battled back and Marissa threw a great game. We have to continue taking it one game at a time.”

In first-round play, Nora Militz’s run-scoring double in the eighth inning led Boston University to a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over UAlbany. The Great Danes built a 3-0 lead after four innings. Mason belted her seventh home run of the season over the center-field fence in the second. After Kristine Bill doubled, Van Deest sent an RBI single through the left side. Catcher Kat Smith, who went 3-for-4 at the plate, drilled the first pitch of the fourth to left field for her third homer of the spring.

Boston U. picked up a run in the fifth after UAlbany hurler Leah McIntosh had struck out the first two batters of the inning. Rachel Hebert lined a double down the right-field line and later came across on error by the UAlbany center fielder. The Terriers, who have won six conference championships in their history, came up with another two-out rally in the sixth. Militz singled to right and Brooke Hudson followed with a two-run blast that tied the contest at three apiece.

In the seventh, shortstop Andriana Walraven led off with a double and was sacrificed to third, but the heart of the the Great Danes’ order failed to get her across. Boston U. broke through in the first extra frame when Melissa Dubay singled up the middle, took second on a sacrifice bunt, and came home on Militz’s RBI double into the left-field gap.

University of Albany Softball's Butsch Named America East Co-Player of the Year; McIntosh Chosen Top Pitcher - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – University at Albany’s Meagan Butsch has been named the America East Conference Co-Player of the Year and Leah McIntosh earned conference pitcher of the year honors, as announced on Wednesday, May 6 by the league office. Butsch and McIntosh were members of the All-America East first team for the second straight season.

Butsch is the second player to garner player of the year honors, joining Andee Lindgren who was the program’s first honoree in 2004. The third baseman is batting .379, which ranks fifth among the league’s top hitters, and has broken school records for home runs in a career (29) and a single season (14). Butsch, who started all 50 games, also ended the regular season leading the conference in home runs, on-base percentage (.491) and slugging percentage (.780). In addition, her 50 hits, 45 runs scored, 41 RBI and 24 walks were team highs. Batting in the heart of the order, she only struck out just six times in 132 at-bats.

McIntosh becomes the fourth Great Dane player to be named the league’s pitcher of the year after Lindgren, Amanda Morin and Casey Halloran. She has hurled a national-best four perfect games this season. The junior holds Division I program records for career strikeouts (610) and no-hitters (6), while boasting a league-best 1.27 ERA and an 18-4 record. McIntosh, who posted 10 shutouts, is second among the NCAA leaders nationally in strikeouts per seven innings (11.02). She needs18 more strikeouts to break the single-season record of 252 held by Halloran, who established that standard when she the league’s pitcher of the year in 2006.

Sophomore Kristine Bill, who appeared in all 50 games and made 48 starts, was one of three Great Danes to be placed on the all-conference second team. After collecting eight hits in her first collegiate campaign, the center fielder has 25 RBI and is batting .306 with 41 hits this year. In addition, two of her three home run provided victories in the team’s most recent America East wins to close out the regular season.

Gina Mason makes her first appearance on the all-conference second team after garnering all-rookie team honors last year. She started all 50 games at first base and finished the regular season with a .297 batting average, six home runs and 37 RBI. The sophomore was also the team’s second-best slugger with a .523 percentage and 16 extra-base hits. Mason joined Butsch and Bill as one of three Great Danes to belt a grand slam in an eight-day span this season.

Kat Smith, a catcher who has started 49 contests this spring, is being recognized on the second team for the first time. From behind the plate, she has been a key figure in helped the UAlbany pitching staff account for five no-hitters, four perfect games and 20 shutouts this season. Offensively, she hit .264 with two home runs and 18 RBI. One of her homers decided a 4-3 eight-inning victory against league opponent UMBC.

Freshman Katie Wambold was voted by the coaches to the league’s all-rookie team, marking the seventh consecutive season that at least one Great Dane has been honored. Wambold made 36 appearances and 28 starts, the most of any freshman on the squad, as the team’s designated player. She totaled 15 hits, including four doubles, and drove in seven runs while scoring eight times.

UAlbany has produced 54 all-conference players, including 28 first-team selections, since joining the America East Conference in 2002.

University of Albany Earns Third Seed for America East Conference Softball Tournament - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany was tabbed as the third seed for this week’s America East Conference Softball Championship, which will be hosted by top-seeded Stony Brook from May 7-9. The Great Danes, who have won three tournament titles and advanced to the championship game in five of the past six seasons, are making their eighth consecutive conference postseason tournament appearance.

UAlbany (36-14, AE 12-7) will take on No. 2 Boston University (38-16, AE 14-6) in the second game on Thursday, May 7 at 3:30 p.m. Top-seeded Stony Brook (35-12, AE 15-5) will face No. 4 UMBC (34-19, AE 12-8) in the first game, scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. The winners of the first two games will face off on Friday, May 8, starting at 11 a.m., while the losers of Thursday's games will play at 1:30 p.m. in an elimination game. A second team will go home later on Friday when the winner of previous game and the loser of the day's first game meet at 4:00 p.m. The 2009 America East champion will be named on Saturday, May 9. The final two teams standing will play at 12 noon with a second game slated for 2:30 p.m., if necessary. If inclement weather occurs, the champion will be crowned on Sunday, May 10. The winner will earn an automatic berth in the 2009 NCAA Tournament.

The Great Danes have been led by junior pitcher Leah McIntosh and senior third baseman Meagan Butsch. McIntosh has hurled a national-best four perfect games this season. She holds Division I program records for career strikeouts (610) and no-hitters (6) while boasting a league-best 1.27 ERA. McIntosh is also first in strikeouts per seven innings (11.02). Butsch is hitting .379 this season and has broken the school records for home runs in a career (29) and a single season (14). She leads the conference in home runs, on-base percentage (.491) and slugging percentage (.780). Sophomore center fielder Kristine Bill is also hitting over .300, while junior pitcher Marissa Powell has won 16 of her last 19 decisions in the circle.

agate-

2009 America East Conference Softball Championship

(played at Stony Brook’s University Field)

Thursday, May 7
Game One: #1 Stony Brook (35-12, AE 15-5) vs. #4 UMBC (34-19, AE 12-8), 1 p.m.
Game Two: #2 Boston U. (38-16, AE 14-6) vs. #3 UAlbany (36-14, AE 12-7), 3:30 p.m.

Friday, May 8
Game Three: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 11 a.m.
Game Four: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 1:30 p.m.
Game Five: Loser Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 4 p.m.

Saturday, May 9
Game Six: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 12 p.m.
Game Seven: (if necessary): Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 2:30 p.m.

Softball Drops Final Game of Weekend Series on Senior Day

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Kelly Oberto was one of four Seawolf players to club a home run and ended the afternoon with four RBI as Stony Brook defeated the UAlbany softball team, 10-2, in America East Conference action on Senior Day at Albany Field on Sunday, May 3. Kat Smith homered for the Great Danes, who honored Meagan Butsch prior to the game and finished the regular season in the top half of the league standings for the eighth time in as many years.

The Great Danes earned the No. 3 seed for the America East championship, a double-elimination tournament which runs from May 7-9, and will open up against second-seeded Boston University at Stony Brook’s University Field.

Stony Brook (34-12, AE 14-5) hit two home runs to take a 5-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Crista Cerrone hit a two-run homer to start the scoring, and Kelly Oberto blasted a three-run shot to center a few plays later. Oberto singled in the sixth run for the Seawolves in the top of the second.

UAlbany (36-14, AE 12-7) got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second to close the gap to four. Michelle Connors (Shenendehowa) was hit by a pitch, and Kat Smith went yard to left center on the next play. Stony Brook got solo home runs from Kendall Blumenthal and Marissa Fleury in the third and fourth, respectively, before extending their lead to eight in the top half of the fifth. The Great Danes failed to score in the bottom half of the frame, and the game ended due to the eight-run rule.

UAlbany’s Powell fell to 18-10 this year in the losing effort. She surrendered 12 hits, 10 runs (nine earned) and issued one walk while fanning three. Stony Brook’s Alyssa Struzenberg improved to 21-5 this season with the victory. She yielded two hits and two runs which were earned while issuing one walk and striking out six.

University of Albany Softball Splits With Stony Brook and Clinches America East Conference Postseason Berth - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Kristine Bill hit a two-run homer and Marissa Powell threw her sixth shutout of the season as UAlbany was able to salvage a split against Stony Brook in a pivotal America East Conference softball doubleheader at Albany Field on Saturday, May 2. The Seawolves won game one, 5-0, and the Great Danes took game two, 2-0. UAlbany also clinched a conference postseason berth for the eighth time in as many years.

After Vicki Kavitsky was called out for leaving first base early in the top of the third in the nightcap, the Great Danes responded with all the runs they would need in the bottom half of the inning. Kat Smith was hit by a pitch, and Bill followed up with a hit that graced over the fence in center to give Powell all the run support she would need.

“It was very early in the game, so I did not know it was going to be the winning hit,” said Bill on her second game-winning home run in the past three conference games. “I was just trying to hit it hard.”

Stony Brook (34-12 AE 14-5) made its biggest threat to score in the sixth. Kavitsky was hit by a pitch and advanced to second when Crista Cerrone singled through the left side to put the tying run on first with nobody out. Powell retired Kelsi Fannelli by forcing her to fly out to right, and she was able to get out of the jam on the next play due to another baserunning mistake by Kavitsky. Marissa Fleury flew out to Bergin in deep right field for the second out, but Kavitsky was once again called for leaving early to end the threat to rally in the frame.

“Jack Coons, our pitching coach, noticed she left early from the dugout while I was worried about the tying run on first,” said head coach Chris Cannata on the crucial third out. “I went and told the girls what happened, and they got the out. Fortunately, the umpire saw it too.”

The Seawolves had one more attempt to rally in the top of the seventh. Kendall Blumenthal was hit by a pitch with two outs, but Jade Clare grounded out to the pitcher which allowed the Great Danes to seal their 36th victory and match the program’s all-time mark for wins in a season.

UAlbany’s Powell, who earned her 16th victory in her last 18 decisions, improved to 18-9 with the five-hit shutout. She struck out three batters and issued only one walk.

“It was a huge game, and I came in really nervous,” said Powell. “However, I knew my team was going to be behind me and score some runs. I thought from the very beginning that we were going to win this game, and it feels great.”

Stony Brook’s Casey Jacobs fell to 10-4 this year in the losing effort. She gave up three hits, two runs which were earned and did not issue a walk.

“We did not want to get into the tournament by backing into it,” said Cannata. “We wanted to win and earn it. I thought we came out tight in the first game. We did not get many hits in the second game, but our approach was much better. That was the biggest game Marissa (Powell) has ever pitched for us. It was crucial for us to win, and she really stepped up. That was one of the best games I have ever seen her pitch.”

In game one, the Seawolves used the long ball to score all five of their runs. Kelly Oberto hit a two-run homer to center in the second inning, Kavitsky hit a solo shot in the third and Oberto blasted another ball over the fence with one runner on base in the fourth to give Stony Brook all the insurance it needed to win.

UAlbany’s Leah McIntosh was tagged with the loss and dropped to 18-4 this season. She struck out six batters and did not issue a walk while giving up seven hits and five runs which were all earned. Stony Brook’s Alyssa Struzenberg, the reigning conference pitcher of the year, improved to 20-5 with the three-hit shutout. She struck out eight and issued six walks.

UAlbany (36-13 AE 12-6) wraps up its three-game series with Stony Brook tomorrow at noon. Prior to the regular season finale, senior Meagan Butsch will be honored for her contributions to the program over the past four years.

University of Albany Softball Sweeps Bryant University In Doubleheader - UAlbany Sports 2009

Marissa Powell pitched 11 scoreless innings and picked up two more wins in the circle for the second straight day in leading UAlbany to a doubleheader sweep of Bryant on Wednesday, April 29 at Albany Field. The Great Danes took game one, 2-0, and won the nightcap by a 1-0 score.

In game one, UAlbany pushed a run across in the bottom of the first. Walraven led off with a walk and stole second before Kristine Bill singled up the middle to put runners on the corners for Meagan Butsch. The senior hit a grounder to second base and reached on a fielder’s choice, which allowed Walraven to score. Jess Bergin singled two plays later, but Butsch was thrown out at home to end the inning.

The Great Danes added their second run for insurance in the bottom of the sixth. Butsch led off with a walk, and advanced two bases on the next play when Gina Mason grounded out to third. She came home when Bergin grounded out to the shortstop. Powell, who at one point retired 11 consecutive batters, induced two groundouts and fanned Kim Leonard to close out the victory in the seventh.

UAlbany’s Powell improved to 16-9 at the time with the three-hit shutout. It was her fifth of the season and second in as many days. She recorded eight strikeouts and issued only one walk. Samantha Houseal of Bryant (11-30) fell to 11-25 at the time with the loss. She allowed three hits, two runs which were earned and issued three walks while striking out four.

The Great Danes got all the offense they needed in the nightcap when Michelle Connors homered to left in the bottom of the second. After Powell made it through four innings by only surrendering a single, Leah McIntosh came on in relief for the final three frames to seal the team’s fifth consecutive win.

Powell was credited with the victory in game two, improving her ledger to 17-9. She has now won 15 of her last 17 decisions. The junior gave up one hit in four innings of work and did not issue a walk. McIntosh hurled the last three innings and picked up her third save of the season. She yielded only one hit and one walk while striking out seven. Houseal ended the afternoon with a record of 11-26 despite allowing only three runs to score in the twinbill. She allowed five hits and one run which was earned while striking out one batter. In addition, the Bulldog ace did not issue any walks.

With playoff hopes on the line, UAlbany (35-12) will wrap up the regular season when it hosts first-place Stony Brook in a three-game series this weekend. The teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, and conclude the weekend with a single game on Sunday, May 3 at noon.

University of Albany Softball Sweeps Siena College, 5-0 & 11-2, Extending Albany Cup Lead To 7-0 In 2009 - UAlbany Sports 2009

University of Albany Softball Sweeps Siena College, 5-0 & 11-2, Extending Albany Cup Lead To 7-0 In 2009.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Meagan Butsch hit two home runs and Marissa Powell picked up a pair of wins in the circle to lead the UAlbany softball team to a doubleheader sweep of crosstown-rival Siena by scores of 5-0 and 11-2 in six innings on Tuesday, April 28. The Great Danes won all four meetings between the clubs this spring and outscored the Saints, 20-2, in the home-and-home series.

In game one, Butsch started off the fourth by lining a hard single to left and stealing second base. After Jess Bergin drew a walk, both runners advanced another base by successfully completing a double steal. On the next play, Gina Mason was hit by a pitch to load the bases with nobody out.

Kat Smith, who was making her 64th consecutive start, plated Butsch on a bloop single to right, but a crazy sequence of events led to the first out. The ball was thrown back to pitcher Amanda Filippazzo in the circle, and Smith made an attempt to take second. Mason was caught in a rundown by the shortstop between second and third, and Smith made it back to first safely to put runners on the corners for Michelle Connors. The junior then hit a sacrifice fly to score Bergin from third before the final out was recorded on the next play with the Great Danes ahead by two.

UAlbany, which stole six bases in the opener, doubled its lead in the bottom of the fifth. Kristine Bill led off and fell into an 0-2 hole, but the sophomore was able to battle back and draw a walk. Andrianna Walraven then hit a routine grounder to Filippazzo, but an error by the shortstop on an attempt to punch out Bill allowed both runners to reach safely. Nicole Kothe advanced the runners on a sacrifice bunt, and Butsch’s sacrifice fly scored Bill. Bergin followed up with a single past the shortstop to score Walraven, and the frame ended with UAlbany leading by four runs.

Marissa Powell took a perfect game into the bottom of the fifth, but it was broken up on an infield single by Jamie Piela on the first play. The junior recovered by inducing a flyout and striking out the next two batters to keep Siena (11-28) off the scoreboard.

After Piela retired the Great Danes in order, the Saints greatest threat to rally came in the bottom of the sixth. Nastasha Powlowsky reached on an infield error to start the inning, and made it to second safely on a fielder’s choice. A single by Jenny McNulty loaded the bases, but Powell eventually got out of the jam by forcing the last hitter to fly out to Stephanie Talerico in left. A solo shot to center by Meagan Butsch in the top of the seventh sealed the final outcome of game one.

UAlbany’s Powell went the distance and improved to 14-9 at the time with the two-hit shutout victory. She recorded seven strikeouts and did not issue any walks. Siena’s Filippazzo dropped to 5-12 in the losing effort. She surrendered five hits, four runs (two earned), issued three walks and failed to strike out any batters in five innings of work. Piela relieved Filippazzo in the sixth. She struck out three and gave up one hit and one run which was earned on Butsch’s blast over the fence.

Walraven took the first pitch of the nightcap to right center for a triple, and she came home on the next play due to a wild throw by pitcher Courtney Brinkman. Butsch then blasted a shot over the fence for her second home run of the day to extend the lead to three runs before an out could be recorded, but Brinkman was able to keep the Great Danes off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

A solo home run by Walraven in the top of the fourth gave the Great Danes a 4-0 lead, and Connors hit a RBI single to extend the team’s lead to five one inning later. Siena was able to take advantage of a wild pitch and a passed ball to plate two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Bushel came home on a passed ball, and Alyssa Sceppaguercio scored when McNulty grounded out to third.

However, UAlbany got the runs back when Mason hit a two-RBI double to deep left in the sixth inning. A single to left by Katie Wambold on the next play plated Mason to give the club an 8-2 advantage. After Kayla Cilley was hit by a pitch, Liz Noto, who was making her first career start, broke the game open with her first career home run to cap the six-run frame. Powell retired the side in the bottom half of the inning, and UAlbany came away with the win due to the eight-run rule.

“I was worried about protecting since I had two strikes on me,” explained Noto. “The moment I made contact, I knew it was going to at least be a hard hit. I felt fine going around first and second. When I saw my third base coach (Joe Reardon), I lit up. Words can’t explain how I feel right now.”

Powell improved to 15-9 this season with the victory. She yielded five hits, two runs (one earned) and did not issue a walk for the second straight game. Powell also fanned five hitters.

“I am pitching with more confidence, “ said Powell, who has won 13 of her last 15 decisions. “We are starting to gel as a team, so I am feeling more comfortable. I know I can count on them for run support, so that makes me feel more relaxed in the circle.”

Brinkman, who pitched the first and reentered in the sixth, fell to 5-8 with the loss. She gave up eight hits and was tagged for nine runs (eight earned) while striking out one in two innings of work. Piela pitched four innings, surrendering four hits, two runs which were earned and issuing one walk. She also recorded three strikeouts.

“We are looking to build momentum going into our big weekend against Stony Brook,” said head coach Chris Cannata. “We worked on the things we needed to work on, Marissa did a great job in the circle to hold their offense in check and we really hit the ball well.”

UAlbany (33-12), which finished the year a perfect 10-0 against Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opponents, returns to action on Wednesday, April 29 to host Bryant University. The doubleheader is slated to begin at 3 p.m.

-agate-

UAlbany 000 220 1 5 6 1
Siena 000 000 0 0 2 1

UAlbany: Marissa Powell and Kat Smith, Liz Noto (6).
Siena: Amanda Filippazzo, Jamie Piela (6) and Nastasha Powlowsky.



UAlbany (33-12) 300 116 11 12 0
Siena (11-28) 000 020 2 5 5

(game was called after the sixth due to the eight-run rule)

UAlbany: Marissa Powell and Liz Noto.
Siena: Courtney Brinkman, Jamie Piela (2), Brinkman (6) and Natasha Powlowsky.

University of Albany's Meagan Butsch Earns America East Conference Softball Player of the Week Honors - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – University at Albany’s Meagan Butsch was named the America East Conference Softball Player of the Week, as announced by the league office on Monday, April 27. Butsch broke two school records for home runs in a career (27) and home runs in a season (12) by going yard four times in five games.

Butsch began the week by hitting a walk-off grand slam in UAlbany’s 10-2 victory over Vermont in the first game of a doubleheader. It was her second home run of the contest, while her six-RBI performance matched a Division I program record. In the nightcap, she cleanly fielded a squeeze attempt by the Catamounts to gun down the runner at home which could have been the game-winning run in the Great Danes’ 5-4 eight-inning victory.

In the second game of a doubleheader at Maine on Saturday, April 25, the senior clubbed two more home runs to break Kelly Ogden’s single season and career standards. Butsch, who has hit eight home runs in the past 12 games, finished the week with a .600 batting average, four home runs and eight RBI. She also led the squad with a .684 on-base percentage to go along with a slugging percentage of 1.400.

UAlbany returns to action on Tuesday, April 28 when it travels to face cross-town rival Siena for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.

University of Albany's Kristine Bill's Seventh-Inning Grand Slam Caps Softball's 11-8 Comeback Victory Over Maine - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Orono, Maine – Kristine Bill’s grand slam in the seventh inning lifted UAlbany to an 11-8 victory over Maine in America East Conference softball action at Kessock Field on Sunday, April 26. The Great Danes trailed the entire game before plating seven runs in the final frame. In addition, Leah McIntosh set the Division I school record for career strikeouts in the winning effort.

Maine (30-21, AE 10-8) took an early 1-0 lead when Kristen Calvetti singled to right with two runners on base in the bottom of the first inning. McIntosh started off the second inning strong by fanning Stephanie George and then Kristin Allen to break Casey Hallloran’s Division I program record with her 596th career strikeout.

However, the Black Bears added to their lead shortly afterwards by plating four more runs in the frame to go up by five. Ashley Waters and Terren Hall had two-RBI doubles before the third out was recorded.

UAlbany (31-12, AE 11-5) rallied back by scoring four times in the top half of the third. Bill drew a one-out walk, and scored the Great Danes’ first run on the next play when Andrianna Walraven doubled to left field. Nicole Kothe then followed up with a triple to plate Walraven.

Meagan Butsch, who hit two home runs yesterday and set the single-season and all-time school records in the process, earned a free pass to first on the next play to put runners on the corners for Jess Bergin. The sophomore sacrificed Butsch over to second, and Gina Mason then made it a one-run ballgame when she doubled to center. Ashley Kelley, who relieved Jenna Balent after Bergin’s sacrifice, struck out the next batter to end any further threat.

UAlbany put itself in a great position to take its first lead in the top of the fifth. Kothe singled, Butsch walked and Bergin had an infield hit to load the bases with only one out. However, Kelley got out of the jam by striking out Mason and forcing Kat Smith to fly out to center.

The Great Danes made another effort to tie the score in the sixth. Bailey Van Deest and Walraven each hit singles, but Kelley once again was able to induce the third out to keep the Black Bears ahead by a single run. Maine responded by pushing a pair of runs across in the sixth on a two-RBI double by Kali Burnham.

With one last chance in the top of the seventh, UAlbany made another attempt at a rally. Butsch and Bergin singled, and Mason belted her second double of the contest to send Butsch home for the fifth run. Batting with two runners in scoring position and no outs, Kat Smith reached on a fielder’s choice to score Mason and close the gap to a run. On the next play, Michelle Connors tied up the score with a single, chasing Kelley out of the ballgame before an out could be recorded in the frame.

After Van Deest was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Bill came through by blasting her first grand slam and second homer of her career to give the Great Danes their first lead of the game, 11-7. Maine’s attempt at a last-chance rally fell short in the bottom of the seventh, which allowed UAlbany to end the weekend in third place with its 11th conference win of the season.

McIntosh went the distance for the Great Danes and improved to 18-3 this year with the victory. She yielded 12 hits, eight runs (seven earned) and struck out three. The junior has now fanned 597 batters in her career, bettering Halloran’s mark of 595.

Balent, who had two wins in the circle for the Black Bears yesterday, lasted 2.2 innings in her third start of the weekend series. She gave up four hits, four runs which were all earned, two walks and struck out three. Kelley pitched 3.1 innings of relief, surrendering eight hits, five runs which were all earned, and one walk while fanning four. She was credited with the loss to drop to 7-7 this season. Cayleigh Montano pitched one inning. She gave up one hit and two runs which were earned.

UAlbany returns to action on Tuesday, April 28 when it travels to face cross-town rival Siena for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.


UAlbany (31-12, AE 11-5) 004 000 7 11 13 1
Maine (30-21, AE 10-8) 140 002 1 8 12 0

UAlbany: Leah McIntosh and Kat Smith.
Maine: Jenna Balent, Ashley Kelley (3), Cayleigh Montano (7) and Stephanie George.

University of Albany Softball Extends Winning Streak to 10 Games in Walk-Off Fashion Against Vermont - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Meagan Butsch hit a grand slam to go along with a career-high six-RBI effort in game one and Gina Mason hit a walk-off single in the nightcap in leading the UAlbany softball team to a doubleheader sweep of Vermont by scores of 10-2 and 5-4 at Albany Field on Wednesday, April 22. The Great Danes reached the 30-win mark for the eighth straight season and ended the day just half a game behind league-leading Stony Brook in the America East Conference standings.

In game one, Butsch hit a two-run homer to right center which gave UAlbany a 2-0 advantage. Vermont (6-33, AE 3-12) battled back to tie the score on a double by Rebecca Heimbigner in the second and a two-bagger by Laura Stagliano in the third.

UAlbany broke the tie by plating three runs in the bottom of the third inning. Mason hit a two-run blast over the fence in right to put the Great Danes ahead for good before Bill smacked a double down the left field line. An RBI double by Mason in the fourth made it a four-run game, and Butsch’s grand slam on a 3-2 count with two outs in the bottom of the fifth ended the opener due to the eight-run rule.

UAlbany’s Leah McIntosh improved to 17-1 this season with the victory in the circle. She surrendered five hits and two runs which were earned while fanning six hitters. Vermont’s Jocelyn Abaray dropped to 3-11 with the loss after giving up six hits and four runs which were all earned in two innings. Caitlin Monahan pitched the final 2.2 innings, surrendering six runs which were earned and seven hits.

Vermont jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning of the nightcap, which was counted as a non-conference game. After Andrianna Walraven plated the first run for the Great Danes on a fielder’s choice play in the bottom of the third, the Catamounts regained their three-run lead when Alison Daggett homered down the left field line to lead off the fourth. UAlbany then made it a one-run game when Nicole Kothe hit a two-run single in the bottom of the fifth with one out.

Great Dane pitcher Marissa Powell hurled a scoreless sixth, but it was a key play by the UAlbany infield defensively which kept the Catamounts off the scoreboard. Vermont attempted to score Kellin Haley from third on a squeeze play with only one out. Katherine Sisson laid the ball down in front of Butsch, and the senior flipped an off-balance throw to Kat Smith who tagged out Haley. Bree Cassidy grounded out on the next play to the end frame.

“I have to give the credit to my coach on that play,” said Butsch. “She saw it coming and read what the runner was doing. Coach (Cannata) told me to scoot up, watch for the squeeze and it worked out. It was also a great catch by Kat (Smith).”

Powell retired the side in the seventh to keep the battle a one-run contest before the Great Danes had one last chance to score and at least extend the game. With one out, Bailey Van Deest came through as a pinch hitter in the clutch situation by clubbing the first home run of her career to tie the game at four and eventually force extras.

“I knew their pitcher threw a lot of curve balls, and that was what I was looking for,” said Van Deest, who took a curve ball that stayed in front of the plate over the fence in left. “Hitting home runs is not something I am used to, so I was just trying to do something to get on base and avoid popping up. Fortunately, it worked out for me.”

Vermont threatened to score in the top of the eighth by loading the bases with only one out. However, Powell struck out of the next two batters to get out of the jam. In the bottom of the inning, Butsch blooped a single that barely stayed fair to get things going with one down. She advanced to second on a passed ball when the next batter struck out, and Mason followed up with a walk-off hit to right field which plated Butsch for the game-winning run.

“Our team shows a lot of character, and they never give up,” said head coach Chris Cannata after the team ended the afternoon on its longest winning streak since the 2005 season. “We have been getting great pitching, and have also been fortunate enough to win the close ones.”

UAlbany’s Powell improved to 13-9 overall with the win. She gave up four runs (three earned) and nine hits in eight innings while fanning seven and issuing just one walk. Vermont’s Daggett fell to 2-7 in the losing effort. She gave up nine hits, five runs (three earned) and struck out three.

UAlbany (30-10, AE 10-3) will head to Maine for a three-game series over the weekend. The teams will play a doubleheader beginning at noon on Saturday, April 25 before playing a single game at noon on Sunday, April 26.


Vermont 011 00 2 5 0
UAlbany 203 14 10 13 1

UAlbany: Leah McIntosh and Kat Smith. Vermont: Jocelyn Abaray and Rachelle Boone.


Vermont (6-33. AE 3-12) 300 100 00 4 9 2
UAlbany (30-10, AE 10-3)001 020 11 5 9 1

UAlbany: Marissa Powell and Kat Smith. Vermont: Caitlin Monahan and Rachelle Boone.

Gina Mason's Grand Slam Sparks 14-Run Outburst in University of Albany Softball's Eighth Straight Victory vs Binghamton - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Vestal, N.Y. – Gina Mason hit her second career grand slam in the top of the first inning to spark the biggest offensive outburst in over three years and lead the UAlbany softball team to a 14-0 victory over Binghamton in America East Conference action at East Gym Field on Sunday, April 19. The Great Danes extended their winning streak to eight games and ended the weekend in sole possession of second place in the league standings with the victory.

UAlbany scored its first four runs of the game with only one out in the top of the first. Nicole Kothe singled to right field, Meagan Butsch drew a walk and Jess Bergin loaded the bases on a bunt single to set the stage for Mason. The sophomore’s blast down the left field line was her fifth of the season and 10th of her career. It was also her first grand slam since going yard with the bases loaded in a six-RBI effort against Boston University on May 3, 2008.

After Leah McIntosh struck out the side, UAlbany added four more runs in the top of the second. Bailey Van Deest and Kristine Bill each singled, and Andrianna Walraven sacrificed them over to second and third. Kothe then drove in both runners on a single to left. Butsch and Bergin followed up with doubles to chase pitcher Cyrilla Suker out of the game with only one out in the frame.

Kristen Emerling, who came in to relieve Suker, also struggled out of the gates. Mason was hit by a pitch, and a wild pitch thrown to Michelle Connors (Shenendehowa) allowed Bergin and Mason to advance to second and third. Connors drew a walk, but a passed ball on the final pitch allowed Bergin to slide in safely for the ninth run. Mason capped the scoring in the frame when she came home on a groundout by Kat Smith.

Binghamton (5-29, AE 0-14) had its best chance to score in the bottom of the second. Stephanie DeLuca led off with a walk, and advanced to third on a double to left field by Deannie Plemon. However, McIntosh settled down by striking out the next three batters to get out of the jam.

The Great Danes loaded with the bases with nobody out in the third for Butsch, and the cleanup hitter came through with a two-run single to plate Diane MacDowell and Walraven. Bergin then reached on an infield error which allowed Stephanie Talerico and Butsch to score before Emerling was able to get out of the inning with the Bearcats trailing by 14. Powell pitched two shutout innings to close out the game.

UAlbany’s McIntosh improved to 16-1 with the victory. She hurled three innings and recorded six strikeouts while allowing only two hits and a walk. Powell pitched the final two frames, surrendering one hit and striking out two. McIntosh and Powell have now combined to throw 44 straight innings without allowing an earned run to score.

Binghamton’s Suker suffered the loss to drop to 2-13 overall. In 1.1 innings of work, she gave up eight hits and nine earned runs. Emerling pitched the remaining 3.2 innings. She gave up four hits, five runs (four earned), issued four walks and struck out five.

The Great Danes recorded their highest run total since defeating Mount Saint Mary’s, 14-9, on March 17, 2006. The 14 runs matched a program high for an America East game and equaled the third-best mark in the program’s Division I era.

UAlbany (28-10, AE 9-3) will look to extend its winning streak to as many as 10 games when Vermont visits Albany Field on Wednesday, April 22 for an America East doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.

UAlbany (28-10, AE 9-3) 464 00 14 12 1
Binghamton (5-29, AE 0-14) 000 00 0 3 1

UAlbany: Leah McIntosh and Kat Smith, Liz Noto (3).
Binghamton: Cyrilla Suker, Kristen Emerling (2) and Deannie Plemon.

University of Albany Softball Sweeps Binghamton In Saturday America East Doubleheader - UAlbany Sports 2009

Mason and Butsch's Game-Winning Home Runs Lead Softball in Sweep Against Binghamton - Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Vestal, N.Y. – Gina Mason hit a solo home run in game one and Meagan Butsch went yard twice while driving in a career-high five runs in the nightcap to lead UAlbany to a doubleheader sweep of Binghamton in America East Conference softball action on Saturday, April 18 at East Gym Field. The Great Danes won the first game, 1-0, and the second by a 7-1 score.

The first game featured a pitcher’s duel between UAlbany’s Leah McIntosh and Binghamton’s Cyrilla Suker. After four scoreless innings, Gina Mason gave the Great Danes all the insurance they needed when she went yard to lead off the fifth. McIntosh, who did not allow a runner to advance past first base, extended her shutout streak to 17.1 innings to help UAlbany seal the one-run decision.

McIntosh improved to 15-1 this season with the victory, recording 14 strikeouts in the two-hit shutout. She issued one walk in the fifth, which was the first time in 53 innings that she gave an opposing hitter a free pass to first. Suker dropped to 2-12 in the losing effort. She gave up six hits, one run which was earned and one walk while striking out two.

UAlbany (27-10, AE 8-3) got its bats going early in game two by plating two runs in the top of the first. Meagan Butsch, who hit two game-winning home runs earlier this week, clubbed another ball over the fence with Andrianna Walraven on third.

The Great Danes would put the game out of reach in the fifth by scoring five more times. Michelle Connors started the big inning with a single to plate Katie Wambold, and Butsch blasted a three-run homer to balloon the lead to six. It was her eighth of the season and 23rd of her career. A sacrifice fly by Mason capped the scoring for the Great Danes in the frame.

Binghamton (5-28, AE 0-13) scored its first run of the day in the bottom half of the fifth on a double by Stephanie Kolodziejski to right center. However, Marissa Powell was able to keep the Bearcats off the board the rest of the way to give the Great Danes their seventh straight victory.

Powell improved to 12-9 this season with the victory. She gave up three hits, one run which was unearned and issued one walk while fanning eight. The junior has not given up an earned run in 22 straight innings. Meghan Tucker dropped to 2-8 this season with the loss. She surrendered seven runs which were earned and eight hits in 4.1 innings. Kristen Emerling pitched 2.2 shutout innings of relief, surrendering one hit while striking out two.

UAlbany (27-10, AE 8-3) wraps up its three-game series with the Bearcats tomorrow at noon.

UAlbany 000 010 0 1 6 0
Binghamton 000 000 0 0 2 3

UAlbany: Leah McIntosh and Kat Smith.
Binghamton: Cyrilla Suker and Deannie Plemon.

UAlbany (27-10, AE 8-3) 200 050 0 7 9 1
Binghamton (5-28, AE 0-13)000 010 0 1 3 0

UAlbany: Marissa Powell and Kat Smith.
Binghamton: Meghan Tucker, Kristen Emerling (5) and Deannie Plemon.

University of Albany McIntosh's Perfect Game and Powell's No-Hitter Lead Softball in Sweep Over Vermont - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Burlington, Vt. – Leah McIntosh pitched her fourth perfect game of the season and Marissa Powell threw her first career no-hitter in leading UAlbany to a doubleheader sweep of Vermont in America East Conference softball action at Archie Post Field on Wednesday, April 15. The Great Danes won the first game, 2-0, and the nightcap by a 12-0 score in five innings.

In game one, McIntosh fanned the first eight Vermont (6-28, AE 3-8) hitters she faced and 10 of the first 12. After stranding four runners through five innings, the Great Dane offense came through with two runs in the sixth. Nicole Kothe, who went 2-for-3 in the game, led off with a single to left and advanced to second on an error. Michelle Connors sacrificed her over to third, and Meagan Butsch homered to give UAlbany a 2-0 advantage. It was her sixth of the season and 21st of her career to give her team all the insurance it needed for the win.

UAlbany’s McIntosh, who did not allow the ball to leave the infield and entered the week as the only pitcher in the country to pitch multiple perfect games, improved to 14-1 this season with the victory. It was also the junior’s sixth career no-hitter, a Division I school record. She struck out 15 of the 21 batters she faced.

Vermont’s Jocelyn Abaray, who only allowed the Great Danes to scatter three singles through the first five innings, fell to 3-10 with the loss. She gave up six hits and two runs which were earned while striking out six.

UAlbany wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in game two, plating three runs in the top of the first. Andrianna Walraven and Kothe each reached base on Vermont errors, and Connors sacrificed the pair over to second and third. Meagan Butsch then drove in Walraven and advanced to second on a fielder’s choice when the throw went home.

Jess Bergin then hit into a fielder’s choice which pushed two more runs across on a throwing error by the second baseman. Vermont pitcher Caitlin Mohanahan, who was not charged with an earned run in the inning, retired the next two batters to get out of the jam.

The Great Danes scored two more runs and chased Monahan out of the game in the second. Once again, the squad plated two runs on a throwing error when Kothe hit into a fielder’s choice. Through two innings, UAlbany was ahead by a 5-0 score despite recording just one hit.

UAlbany posted six hits and took advantage of another two Catamount errors to balloon the lead to 12 runs in the third. Gina Mason led off with a single, and came home one play later on an RBI triple by Kristine Bill. Bailey Van Deest followed up with a single to plate Bill, and advanced to third on a single up the middle by Kat Smith to make it 7-0.

Alison Daggett was able to strike out the next two batters, but Connors singled and Smith and Van Deest scored on an infield error. Mason hit a bases-clearing double down the left field line before Abaray came in to punch the final out.

Powell took a perfect game into the fourth before Caroline Goddard struck out swinging and reached first on a wild pitch. However, she was able to record six straight outs to post the fifth no-hitter by a Great Dane pitcher this season, a program-best at the Division I level.

UAlbany’s Powell improved to 11-9 this spring with the victory, recording seven strikeouts. Vermont’s Monahan fell to 1-11 with the loss. She gave up six runs (one earned) on two hits in 1.1 innings of work. Daggett surrendered five hits and six runs (three earned) in 1.1 innings of relief, and Abaray closed out the game by pitching 2.1 shutout frames while striking out five and allowing two doubles hit by Taryn LaColla and Liz Noto.

UAlbany (25-10, AE 6-3) will stay on the road to visit Binghamton for a three-game set over the weekend on April 18-19. The teams are scheduled to start the series on Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at noon.

UAlbany 000 002 0 2 6 0
Vermont 000 000 0 0 0 2

UAlbany: Leah McIntosh and Kat Smith.
Vermont: Jocelyn Abaray and Jeanine Connolly.

UAlbany (25-10, AE 6-3) 327 00 12 9 0
Vermont (6-28 AE 3-8) 000 00 0 0 6
(Game was called after five innings due to eight-run rule)

UAlbany: Marissa Powell and Kat Smith, Liz Noto (3).
Vermont: Caitlin Monahan, Alison Daggett (2), Caitlin Monahan (3), Jocelyn Abaray (3) and Jeanine Connolly.

University of Albany's Meagan Butsch Homers in Softball's Non-League Doubleheader Sweep of Manhattan - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Senior third baseman Meagan Butsch hit a two-run homer in game one and junior pitcher Marissa Powell picked up two wins in the circle to lead UAlbany to a doubleheader sweep of Manhattan in non-conference softball action at Albany Field on Tuesday, April 14. The Great Danes won game one, 2-1, and game two by a 3-0 score. With the victories, the squad improved their record to 8-0 this season against Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opponents.

In game one, Butsch clubbed her fifth home run of the season and 20th of her career to move up to second on the program’s all-time list after Michelle Connors doubled to right center. The bomb gave the Great Danes all the insurance they would need for the victory. Manhattan (8-22) attempted to rally by plating one run on a wild pitch by Powell in the second, but the junior recovered by retiring the next 16 batters she faced to close out the game.

UAlbany’s Powell improved to 9-9 at the time with the victory. She allowed two hits and matched a career high by fanning 11 batters. Manhattan’s Ashley Rampino fell to 6-7 in the losing effort. She surrendered five hits, two earned runs and one walk while striking out three in four innings of work. Melissa Donnelly made a relief appearance, and allowed one hit and two walks.

The Great Danes took advantage of three Jasper errors to plate all of their runs in the second game. After the first out was recorded in the third inning, Andrianna Walraven doubled down the left field line and advanced to third base on an error when the ball was thrown back in by Monica Evangelista and misplayed by Nicole Michel at short. Nicole Kothe singled in the sophomore on the next play before Erika Sullivan got out of the inning by inducing two outs in the infield.

UAlbany stayed aggressive on the basepaths to score two more times in the fourth. Gina Mason reached on an error and Katie Wambold singled to left to get things going. After the duo advanced to second and third on a wild pitch, Diane MacDowell slapped an infield hit in front of the catcher to start a crazy chain of events.

MacDowell made it to first safely, and Mason came home for a run after the ball left the catcher’s hand. MacDowell then found herself caught in a rundown between first and second. As she attempted to go to second, the ball was thrown high and made its way to the outfield. Wambold came home to score the third run, and MacDowell ended up at third base. Once Sullivan got out of any further trouble, McIntosh entered the game for the final three innings in the circle to finish the sweep.

UAlbany’s Powell improved to 10-9 this season with the win. She struck out eight and only allowed one hit in four innings. McIntosh earned her second save of the season for pitching the final three frames. She recorded seven strikeouts and allowed only one hit. The duo did not induce any walks.

Manhattan’s Sullivan was tagged with the loss, dropping her record to 0-8 this year. She gave up four hits and three runs which were all unearned. Rampino pitched two scoreless frames to close out the game. She surrendered only one hit and struck out three.

UAlbany (23-10) visits Vermont tomorrow for an America East Conference doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.

-agate-

Manhattan 010 000 0 1 2 0
UAlbany 200 000 x 2 6 0

Manhattan: Ashley Rampino, Melissa Donnelly (5) and Amanda Genovese.
UAlbany: Marissa Powell and Kat Smith.

Manhattan (8-22) 000 000 0 0 2 3
UAlbany (23-10) 001 200 x 3 5 1

Manhattan: Erika Sullivan, Ashley Rampino (5) and Carla Velasquez.
UAlbany: Marissa Powell, Leah McIntosh (5) and Kat Smith, Liz Noto (6).

University of Albany Kat Smith's Walk-Off Home Run in the Eighth Lifts Softball Over UMBC - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Junior catcher Kat Smith went 3-for-4 and hit her first career walk-off home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the UAlbany softball team to a 4-3 victory over UMBC in the rubber game of a three-game series between the teams on Saturday, April 11 at Albany Field. With the victory, the Great Danes moved into sole possession of fourth place in the America East Conference standings.

Pitcher Leah McIntosh, who did not allow a runner to reach second base through the first six innings, and the Great Danes carried a 2-0 lead into the final frame thanks to a solo home run by Gina Mason in the second and an RBI single by Jess Bergin in the fourth. After the first batter was retired, UMBC’s Lauren O’Malley singled to kickstart the wild finish. On the next play, Emily Thompson lined a homer to left to tie the game at two and eventually force extra innings.

McIntosh regained control in the top of the eighth by striking out the first two batters. However, Lauren Brummell knocked out a solo home run to right center to put UMBC (25-16, AE 5-6) ahead for the first time, 3-2. In the bottom of the eighth, Mason was hit by a pitch after the first out was recorded to set the stage for Smith. The junior, who holds Division I program records behind the plate for catching six no-hitters and three perfect games, came through in the clutch with her first home run of the season and fourth of her career.

“I went up there with a clear head, remembered what my coach told me to do and it worked out for me,” said Smith on her final hit. “You have to credit the entire team. None of us ever gave up. I did not win the game (today). The team did.”

UAlbany’s McIntosh improved to 13-1 this season with the victory. She surrendered five hits and three runs which were earned while striking out seven batters. In addition, the junior did not issue a walk for the fourth consecutive start. UMBC’s Stephanie Weigman, who leads the conference in victories, settled for the loss and fell to 15-11. She gave up seven hits and four runs, including three earned, while issuing three walks. The sophomore also finished the game with eight strikeouts in 7.1 innings of work.

“That was a huge at bat for Kat, and a big win for us,” head coach Chris Cannata offered. “We needed to take two out of three. It was definitely a big hit in a big moment.”

UAlbany (21-10, AE 4-3) will continue its longest homestand of the season when Manhattan visits Albany Field on Tuesday, April 14 for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.

-agate-

UMBC (25-16, AE 5-6) 000 000 21 3 5 1

UAlbany (21-10, AE 4-3) 010 010 02 4 7 0

(one out was recorded when the winning run scored)

UAlbany: Leah McIntosh and Kat Smith.
UMBC: Stephanie Weigman and Rebecca Bernheimer.

UAlbany 4, UMBC 3 (8 inn.) (April 11, 2009 at Albany, N.Y.)

UAlbany Splits America East Softball Doubleheader Against UMBC

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Jess Bergin went yard for the first time this season and drove in a career-high four runs in leading UAlbany to a 9-1 victory in the first game of an America East Conference softball doubleheader against UMBC on Friday, April 10, at Albany Field. The Retrievers held off a rally by the Great Danes to win the second game by a 5-3 score and earn the split.

In game one, UMBC (25-15, AE 5-5) scored a run in the top half of the first inning. With two runners in scoring position and only one out, Julia Culotta grounded out to Michelle Connors (Shenendehowa) to plate Lauren Brummell.

UAlbany (19-9responded with four runs in the bottom half of the inning. After Connors and Kristine Bill each drew a walk, Meagan Butsch singled to center and advanced to second on the throw which was too late to gun down Bill. With two on and two out, Bergin broke the tie by clubbing a three-run homer over the fence in center.

After Bergin drove in another run in the third, the Great Danes put the game away with four runs in the sixth. Butsch led off with a double to right center and stole third. Mason then drew a walk to put runners on the corners for Bergin. After MacDowell, who came in as a pinch runner, stole second, Bergin walked to load the bases. Bailey Van Deest, who was pinch hitting for Katie Wambold, dropped a bloop single in left field on the next play to score the Great Danes’ first run of the stanza and sixth of the game. MacDowell came home for the seventh run on a passed ball, and Nicole Kothe singled up the middle to plate pinch runner Wambold and Bergin to end the game due to the eight-run rule.

UAlbany’s Leah McIntosh, who most recently hurled her third perfect game of the season last weekend against Hartford, improved to 12-1 this season with the victory. She recorded four strikeouts, gave up one run which was earned, and did not issue a walk for her third consecutive start.

UMBC’s Amanda Fefel fell to 9-4 with the loss. She struck out four, walked four and was charged with seven runs (six earned). The junior also gave up six hits in five innings of work. Culotta made a relief appearance in the sixth, and recorded one out. She surrendered two hits, one walk and was tagged with two runs which were earned.

Lauren Brummell led off the second game by hitting a routine pop-up, but a Great Dane infielder dropped the ball which allowed the sophomore to advance to second. The miscue would prove to be costly, as the Retrievers scored four times before the third out was recorded. Brummell came across home on a groundout to Powell, and Culotta doubled down the left field line a few plays later. Emily Thompson capped the frame when she homored to left field with two outs.

UAlbany made a rally by scoring one run in the third and two in the fourth. Bill doubled in the first run, and Mason went yard to cut the UMBC lead to a single run. After Fefel homered in the fifth to put the Retrievers ahead by two, the Great Danes made one effort to at least tie the score and force extra innings in the bottom of the seventh. Batting with one out, Kat Smith reached second on an error by the left fielder to get the attempted rally started. Kothe then grounded out to the pitcher which advanced Stephanie Talerico, who was pinch running for Smith, to third. Andrianna Walraven came up to bat with one last chance to extend the game, but she hit a pop-up which was caught by the second baseman in short center through traffic for the third out.

UAlbany’s Marissa Powell was credited with the loss and fell to 8-9 this season. She surrendered six hits and issued one walk while fanning four. Only one of the five runs she gave up was earned. UMBC’s Stephanie Weigman improved to 15-10 with the victory in the circle. She surrendered five hits, three walks and three runs which were all earned while striking out four batters.

The Great Danes and Retrievers will play the rubber game of the series on Saturday, April 11 at noon.

UMBC 100 000 1 4 0
UAlbany 401 004 9 8 1

(game called with one out in the sixth due to eight-run rule)
UAlbany: Leah McIntosh and Kat Smith.
UMBC: Amanda Fefel, Julia Culotta (6) and Amanda Page, Rebecca Bernheimer (6).


UMBC (25-15, AE 5-5) 400 010 0 5 6 1
UAlbany (20-10, AE 3-3) 001 200 0 3 5 2

UAlbany: Marissa Powell and Kat Smith.
UMBC: Stephanie Weigman and Rebecca Bernheimer.