Softball Splits Regular Season Opener
Game 1 Box Score ǀ Game 2 Box Score
STONY BROOK, N.Y. – After a long, scattered round of preseason tournament play, the University at Albany softball team finally kicked off the regular season on Saturday, playing the first two games in a three-game weekend series against Stony Brook. The teams last met in the America East championship a year ago, with Stony Brook claiming the conference title. Today, Stony Brook (9-10, 1-0) won the first game 4-2, and UAlbany (8-6, 0-1) won the second game 7-3.
Brittany MacFawn (4-3) started the game on the mound for UAlbany, pitching six innings and surrendering four runs (three earned) on three strikeouts and no walks. UAlbany struck first with two runs in the top of the second inning. Marlin Solano walked to start the inning, and was pinch run for by Kate Biasi. Biasi advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Lindsey Haskell. Lauren Alcorn reached first on a fielder’s choice that had Biasi thrown out at home, ending the initial scoring threat. In the next at-bat, Alexa Toole hit a single to right-center, advancing Alcorn to third. Vicky McFarland then singled to right, scoring Alcorn, and advancing Toole to second. Kelly Costello, the next batter, also singled to right, scoring Toole.
UAlbany held the lead until the bottom of the fifth inning when Stony Brook, trailing 2-1 at the time, scored three runs to take a 4-2 lead, which ended up being the final score. McFarland recorded another stolen base in the first game.
Emily Ostrom took the mound to start the second game for UAlbany. She pitched three innings, surrendering two runs on five hits. She was relieved in the top of the fourth inning by Mackenzie Thompson (3-1), who pitched the remaining four innings, striking out two and giving up one run.
Again, UAlbany struck first, this time scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. After McFarland grounded out to open the game, Costello was awarded first base after a hit-by-pitch. Maggie Cocks singled to shortstop, advancing Costello to second. A passed ball advanced Costello to second. Charlise Castro singled to center, scoring Costello. Elizabeth Snow hit into a fielder’s choice that loaded the bases. Solano was hit by a pitch, forcing in Cocks for the second run of the inning. Castro scored on the next play, a failed 1-4-3 double play attempt.
UAlbany added another run before Stony Brook finally made it on the scoreboard. In the top of the third, Castro scored from third on a passed ball. Stony Brook then scored two runs in the bottom of the third.
Including the third inning, UAlbany scored one run in four consecutive innings, bringing the game total to seven. Stony Brook scored one more run of its own in the bottom of the seventh, but the game ended on a groundout to third with a runner on first. McFarland hit her first home run of the year in the top of the fourth, a solo shot to center field. Snow also homered, her second of the season, on a solo shot to left-center. Kayla Bailey, who also runs indoor track at UAlbany, recorded a stolen base in the second game.
The Danes have one more game with Stony Brook, tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. Next weekend, UAlbany will play its first set of home games, kicking off a long home stand with three games against Binghamton, starting on Saturday, March 29.
