Softball Sweeps UMBC, Locks Up Two-Seed
Box Score
BALTIMORE – The University at Albany softball team concluded regular season play on Saturday, earning a three-game series sweep against UMBC (31-20, 8-9), and securing the second seed in the America East Tournament that begins next week. UAlbany ends the season with an overall record of 29-10, and a conference record of 14-3. Additionally, the Danes enter the postseason riding a nine-game winning streak.
Brittany MacFawn (16-5) started the final regular season game on the mound for UAlbany, pitching a complete game, allowing one run on five hits with 10 strikeouts and no walks. UAlbany broke onto the scoreboard with two runs in the top of the second after a scoreless first inning. Marlin Solano led off with a double to left center. Lauren Alcorn followed by working a walk. Katie Biasi entered to pinch run for Solano at second. Caitlin Cooper hit a sacrifice bunt that allowed Biasi to advance to third and Alcorn to advance to second. Jess Tate flied out to center, allowing Biasi to tag at third and score on a throwing error by UMBC’s center fielder. With Alcorn now at third, Vicky McFarland reached safely on a fielding error by UMBC’s shortstop, which allowed Alcorn to score.
The third and fourth innings went by without any scoring, and UAlbany scored its next run in the top of the fifth, when Maggie Cocks hit a two-out, bases empty home run to center. After a scoreless sixth inning, UAlbany added three more runs in the top of the seventh to take a 6-0 lead. Tate led off with a home run to right center. McFarland reached safely on a fielding error by UMBC’s first baseman. Costello then hit a two-run home run to center.
UMBC added a run of its own in the bottom of the seventh, a solo home run to left center, making the final score 6-1 in UAlbany’s favor. Costello hit 2-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Cocks hit 3-4 with a home run. Tate hit 1-3 with a home run. UMBC committed five errors in the game.
The America East tournament begins Thursday, May 8 at Stony Brook, who is the top overall seed. The tournament will be played over three days, in double-elimination fashion. UAlbany plays three-seed Binghamton on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. The Danes defeated Binghamton in the sole doubleheader between the two teams this season. Stony Brook will play four-seed UMBC to kick off the tournament.
