ALBANY, N.Y.-- Stony Brook and Albany will meet for the 2008 America East Softball Championship and the automatic berth to the NCAA Softball Championship on Saturday, May 10. Stony Brook, who won both its tournament games, will need to take just one from the Great Danes to claim the crown, while Albany will need to win two by virtue of their one loss in the double-elimination tournament.
In the first game of day two, No. 3 Stony Brook cruised to its first-ever championship day appearance with a convincing 7-2 victory over No. 1 Albany. The Seawolves' bats exploded for 13 hits, one more hit than all four teams combined for (12) on the first day of the tournament. Stony Brook managed to score in each of the first five frames, including two runs in the second and third innings. Molly Kestranek, who went 3-for-4 on the day, led off the bottom of the second inning by sending a Leah McIntosh pitch over the left-field fence for her third home run of the season. Two innings later, Vicki Kavitsky took Marissa Powell's pitch for a homer to right field. Stony Brook pitcher Alyssa Struzenberg picked up her second straight win in the tournament, pitching shutout ball until the fifth inning.
Albany utilized three different pitchers two innings each, with McIntosh starting and getting the loss. Powell and Brittany Rose combined to complete the game. Albany's Amber Maisonet continued her hot streak at the plate, going 3-for-4 in the game and driving in a run for the Great Danes in the sixth inning with a double.
UMBC eliminated Boston University in the second game of the day with a 5-3 win. Rookie Retriever Stephanie Weigman earned the win in the circle, scattering seven hits and allowing three earned runs in the seven-inning complete game effort. She was helped when UMBC put two runs up in the bottom of the first inning. Dana Shepherd singled to shortstop and Amanda Fefel blasted a pitch over the left field fence to clear the bases.
All three of Boston University's runs were scored in the fourth inning. The Terriers loaded the bases on two walks and a fielder's choice to set up a two-RBI single for freshman Melanie Delgado. Two batters later, Rookie of the Year April Setterlund recorded a sacrifice fly to left field to score Rachel Moeller from third base and tie the game at 3-3. UMBC added a run in the fourth and two runs in the fifth to regain the lead for good.
Starter Cassidi Hardy took the loss for the Terriers in 4.1 innings pitched and giving up five earned runs. Megan Currier came in for 1.2 innings of relief.
The Great Danes bounced back in the nightcap to defeat UMBC, 4-0, for the second time in two days to advance to Saturday's round. Albany's Leah McIntosh threw a one-hit shutout. All four of the game's runs were scored in the fifth inning. Junior third baseman Meagan Butsch drove in two runs with a double, while freshman Gina Mason drove in the other two on a single during the very next at-bat.
Stony Brook took three out of four from Albany this year, including tournament action. Game time will begin at 12 p.m. at Albany field, while the second game, if necessary, will follow at approximately 2:30 p.m.
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 BOX SCORE
Saturday, May 10
Game #6: Stony Brook vs. Albany, 12 p.m. - LIVE STATS
Game #7 (If Neccessary): Stony Brook vs. Albany, 2:30 p.m.