ALBANY, N.Y.-- Stony Brook University defeated Albany, 4-0, on Saturday afternoon to win the program's first-ever America East Softball Championship and an automatic berth into the NCAA Softball Championship. The Seawolves' victory snapped the Great Danes' streak of three straight conference crowns.
The Tournament's Most Outstanding Player, Alyssa Struzenberg, shut down the Albany offense, generating her second shutout of the championship. Struzenberg struck out five Great Danes and allowed four hits in a complete game effort. On the few occasions she got caught up in a jam, the Stony Brook defense stood strong behind her, turning three double-plays.
All four of Stony Brook's runs came by way of the long ball, beginning with Marissa Fleury's second-inning solo shot to left field breaking a scoreless tie. Two innings later in the fourth frame, catcher Jade Clare blasted a Marissa Powell pitch over the left field fence and into the scoreboard for three more runs.
The Great Danes put two runners on base early in the first inning. With one out, freshman Andrianna Walraven battled against Struzenberg, fouling off several pitches on a full count, before eventually drawing the walk. The next batter, Michelle Connors, singled to right field to advance Walraven to second. The strong start was squashed when Meaghan Butsch flew out to right field and Ashley Westphal doubled up Connors at first base to end the inning.
Powell was responsible for all four earned runs, while striking out three Seawolves in her six innings of work in the circle.
The Seawolves will find out where they will travel during the NCAA Selection Show Sunday night at 10 p.m. on ESPNU. ESPN News will broadcast a selection show recap between 10:30-11 p.m.
Joining Struzenberg on the All-Championship Team from the Seawolves were Marissa Fleury, Molly Kestranek and Kelly Oberto.
2008 Softball All-Championship Team
Allyssa Struzenberg - Stony Brook (Most Outstanding Player)
Marissa Fleury - Stony Brook
Molly Kestranek - Stony Brook
Kelly Oberto - Stony Brook
Leah McIntosh - Albany
Amber Maisonet - Albany
Meagan Butsch - Albany
Amanda Fefel - UMBC
Dana Shepherd - UMBC
Melanie Delgado - Boston U.
Brooke Hudson - Boston U.
The 2008 America East Softball Championship
Thursday, May 8
Albany, N.Y.
Game #1: #1 Albany 4,#4 UMBC 0 - BOX SCORE
Game #2: #3 Stony Brook 3, #2 Boston University 0 - BOXSCORE
Friday, May 9
Game #3: Stony Brook 7, Albany 2 - BOXSCORE
Game #4: UMBC 5, Boston University 3 - BOXSCORE
Game #5: Albany 4, UMBC 0 BOXSCORE
Saturday, May 10
Game #6: Stony Brook 4, Albany 0 - BOXSCORE