MacFawn Sets Career Wins Record In Sweep Of Colgate
Game 1 Box Score │ Game 2 Box Score
HAMILTON, N.Y. – It was less than two weeks ago that University at Albany senior pitcher Brittany MacFawn set the career strikeout record in the softball team’s third game of three against Hartford. Today, MacFawn entered the first game in a doubleheader against Colgate tied atop the UAlbany all-time list for wins with Casey Halloran (2004-07) at 73. With her victory today, MacFawn breaks that tie and moves into sole possession of first place with 74 wins in her illustrious career.
Macfawn (12-5) pitched a complete game, allowing two runs (none earned) on five hits with 14 strikeouts and no walks. The offense backed her up comfortably, which was also helped by defensive lapses on the part of Colgate (10-27) to the tune of five errors in the first game.
The game remained scoreless through the first two innings before UAlbany (22-10, 8-3) broke onto the scoreboard with one run in the top of the fifth. Jess Tate reached safely on an error by Colgate’s third baseman, making it to second base, and then advanced to third on a Caitlin Cooper sacrifice bunt. Vicky McFarland then grounded out to the pitcher, before Kelly Costello hit a single to right, driving in Tate.
The Danes really broke the game open in the top of the fifth, scoring four runs. Tate led off the inning with a walk and proceeded to steal second during Cooper’s at-bat. Cooper grounded out to shortstop, advancing Tate to third. McFarland hit a single up the middle, allowing Tate to score. McFarland stole second before Costello grounded out to shortstop, which advanced McFarland to third. Maggie Cocks hit a double to left-center, scoring McFarland. Elizabeth Snow then hit a single, sending Cocks home from second to score, and Snow advanced to second on the throw home. Kate Biasi came in to pinch run for Snow, who scored when Charlise Castro reached safely on an error by the right fielder.
Colgate added two runs of its own in the bottom of the fifth, the only two runs the team would score all day. UAlbany responded in kind, scoring two of its own in the top of the sixth. Kayla Bailey reached safely on an error by the left fielder, and advanced to second when Samantha Broking, pinch hitting for Tate, was hit by a pitch. After Cooper flied out to center, Bailey stole third. McFarland then grounded out to first, which allowed Bailey to score and advanced Broking to second. A single by Costello drive in Broking, and also ended the inning when Costello was thrown out at second trying to stretch the play.
UAlbany scored two final runs in the top of the seventh, to make the final score 9-2. Cocks led off grounding out to shortstop before Snow drew a walk. Castro then hit a two-run home run to right. Each of UAlbany’s first four batters recorded at least one RBI. McFarland hit 1-5 with two RBIs, one run scored and a stolen base. Costello was 2-4 with two RBIs and a stolen base. Cocks was 1-4 with a double, one RBI and one run scored. Snow was 1-3 with one RBI and one run scored. Castro was 2-4 with a home run, two RBIs and one run scored.
Emily Ostrom started the second game for UAlbany, pitching 4.0 innings giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits with three strikeouts and two walks. She was replaced in the bottom of the fifth inning by Mackenzie Thompson (6-2), who took the victory pitching 3.0 innings, allowing no runs on one hit and one strikeout.
Colgate struck first with three runs in the bottom of the third. UAlbany didn’t get on the board until the top of the fifth. Snow led off the inning with a double to center, and advanced to third when Castro grounded out to second. After Marlin Solano grounded out to second, Lauren Alcorn hit a single to center, driving in Snow, and cutting the lead to 3-1.
UAlbany added four runs in the top of the seventh to take the final score 5-3 lead. Castro struck out to lead off the inning. Solano hit a single up the middle, and was then pinch run for by Bailey, who proceeded to steal second. Alcorn reached safely on an error by the right fielder, and subsequently advanced to second while Bailey advanced to third. Biasi pinch ran for Alcorn, before Tate singled up the middle, scoring Bailey and advancing to second on the throw home that caught Biasi at the plate trying to score. Alexa Toole reached safely on a fielder’s choice that also saw Tate safely make it to third. McFarland reached on a throwing error by the third baseman, and advanced to third herself while Tate and Toole scored. McFarland scored when Costello reached safely on an error by the shortstop.
Up next for UAlbany is the final home stand of the season. The Danes will host conference newcomer UMass-Lowell for a three-game set starting Saturday, April 26 at 1:00 p.m. before playing out the regular season on the road with series against Siena, Army, and UMBC. Sunday’s game against UMass-Lowell, which starts at 12:00 p.m., will feature a small pre-game ceremony to honor the team’s 2014 seniors.
