Softball Sweeps Home Series Against Siena
Game 1 Box Score │ Game 2 Box Score
ALBANY, N.Y. – Following the latest in a long early season of cancelled games, the University at Albany finally took to their home field against crosstown rival Siena for an afternoon doubleheader, in what was the team’s first live competition since returning from the Rebel Spring Games preseason tournament in Florida. Without missing a beat, the Danes won both games against the Saints by a score of 6-1 in the early game, and 10-7 in the late game.
UAlbany (11-7, 1-2) was supposed to open its home schedule last weekend in a three game set against conference rival Binghamton, but inclement weather pushed the game several times before it was ultimately postponed until next week. Instead, the Danes would play their first home set against Siena (10-13). Senior Brittany MacFawn (5-4) took the mound for UAlbany in the first game, pitching a complete game allowing one run on three hits with 11 strikeouts and zero walks.
Following a perfect first inning from MacFawn, the Danes jumped on the scoreboard early with a first pitch home run by Vicky McFarland. Two batters later, Maggie Cocks singled to right field, kicking off UAlbany’s next scoring play. Charlise Castro struck out, but Elizabeth Snow singled to left, advancing Cocks to second. Marlin Solano singled to center, advancing Snow to third and driving Cocks in to score.
UAlbany took its 2-0 lead into the bottom of the third, when Cocks initiated scoring yet again, with a single up the middle. After advancing to second on a throwing error, Castro walked, and was herself pushed to second on a sacrifice bunt by Snow that pushed Cocks to third. Solano grounded out to first base, allowing Cocks to score again. The next batter, Lauren Alcorn, singled to center field, scoring Castro.
Siena added its first and only run in the top of the fifth inning, when MacFawn gave up a leadoff home run to Siena left fielder Chelsea Drew. UAlbany responded in kind in the bottom of the fifth, on an RBI double to left center by Snow that scored Castro from second base. UAlbany scored one more run in the bottom of the sixth, when Cocks singled to right center driving in McFarland, who ended the game with two stolen bases. UAlbany held the final score 6-1.
Siena struck first in the second game, with a two-run home run by game two starting pitcher Jessica-Jo Sandrini (9-5), off of UAlbany pitcher Emily Ostrom (2-2). UAlbany didn’t get on to the scoreboard until the bottom of the second inning with a five-run explosion. Snow flied out to center to lead off the inning. Castro flied to center as well, and reached on a fielding error by Siena’s center fielder, ultimately advancing to third on the play. Solano was then hit by a pitch and awarded first base. Ostrom pinch ran for Solano, and advanced to second when Alcorn walked. Jessica Tate also walked, forcing Castro in to score. The next batter, Alexa Toole, hit a single, scoring Ostrom and Alcorn. McFarland then singled, scoring Tate and Toole. By the end of the second inning, UAlbany led the game 5-2.
UAlbany scored two more runs in the bottom of the third inning. Snow reached first on a throwing error by Siena’s shortstop, which allowed her to advance to second. In the next at-bat, Castro worked a walk, and Kate Biasi came in to pinch run for Snow at second. Ostrom advanced both Biasi and Castro on a sacrifice bunt. The next batter, Alcorn, singled up the middle, scoring Biasi and Castro. UAlbany now led 7-2.
Siena scored three runs of its own in the top of the fourth inning, leading off with a home run to left field by third baseman Abby Carpenter. By the end of the inning, Siena cut the lead to 7-5. After a scoreless bottom of the fourth, Mackenzie Thompson entered the game in relief of Ostrom, working two perfect innings before UAlbany scored again.
The Danes managed to extend their lead once more, scoring three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. McFarland kicked things off with a single to left field, and then a steal of second base. Two batters later, Cocks reached first on a fielding error by Siena’s pitcher, which advanced McFarland to third. Cocks stole second, and McFarland scored on a passed ball. Snow proceeded to single up the middle in the next at bat, driving Cocks in to score. Castro then singled to left field, as Snow advanced to second. Solano singled to left, scoring Snow and advancing Castro to second, giving UAlbany a 10-5 lead.
Siena scored two runs in the top of the seventh, even loading the bases with a chance to cut the lead to one. Ultimately, the Saints came up just short, with UAlbany taking the second game 10-7, earning the home sweep. McFarland had two more stolen bases in the second game, giving her four on the day. Thompson pitched three innings in relief, striking out two and walking none.
Next up for UAlbany is a three game home series against Maine. The Danes will play a doubleheader on Saturday, April 5 starting at 1:00 p.m. The series will conclude with one game on Sunday, April 6 at 12:00 p.m. Originally scheduled to play 10 consecutive home games by April 9, the Danes schedule has been shifted, and will feature a make-up doubleheader against Binghamton on Tuesday, April 8, before heading on the road to face Bryant for a doubleheader on Wednesday, April 9, in what was originally scheduled to be a home set for UAlbany. After a long road trip, the Danes will return home for a three game set against UMass Lowell to close out the home schedule. The Danes will visit Siena on Tuesday, April 29, for a rematch doubleheader.
