Softball Drops Opening Game Of NCAA Regional, 1-0, To Wisconsin

Box Score

EUGENE, Ore. – Making its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2011, the University at Albany softball team played its opening game in the regional round Friday against Big-10 runner-up Wisconsin.  UAlbany (33-12) was defeated by the Badgers (35-18) in a close game by a score of 1-0.

UAlbany is playing in the Eugene, Oregon regional pool on the campus of top overall seed Oregon.  Oregon plays Utah Valley in the late game this afternoon.  With the loss today, UAlbany will play the loser of the the Oregon/Utah Valley game, in the Eugene regional’s first elimination game.

Brittany MacFawn (19-7) started the game on the mound for UAlbany, pitching 6.0 innings giving up one run on two hits with three strikeouts and three walks.  The team’s best scoring chance came in the top of the fourth inning thanks in part to back-to-back errors by Wisconsin.  Kelly Costello reached safely on a fielding error by Wisconsin’s shortstop.  Maggie Cocks then reached on a fielding error by Wisconsin’s second baseman, which allowed Costello to move to third.  With two on and none out, Charlise Castro popped out to shortstop, Elizabeth Snow struck out swinging, and Cocks was caught stealing during Marlin Solano’s at-bat to end the inning, stranding Costello on third.

The game remained scoreless through five and a half innings, before Wisconsin scored the only run of the game, a leadoff, solo home run by the Badgers’ left fielder, Mary Massei.  The first hit of the game wasn’t recorded until the top of the fifth inning, when Solano hit a single up the middle. 

UAlbany will await their next opponent, the loser of the game between Oregon and Utah Valley, for tomorrow’s matchup at 5:00 p.m. eastern time.