Softball

#AESB Finale Is Set as UMBC and UAlbany Advance

BALTIMORE, Md. – It'll be a repeat of last year's Championship matchup as No.1 UMBC took down UAlbany in the day's opener and the No. 3 Great Danes battled back to beat No. 6 Maine in the nightcap to punch their ticket to Saturday's action. 

Game 1 provided a preview of tomorrow's finals as first-seeded UMBC took on third-seeded UAlbany in the winner's bracket matchup. It was another pitchers duel with the Retrievers just edging out the Great Danes 1-0. Game 2 saw sixth-seeded Maine's Cinderella story continue on as they defeated the second-seeded Binghamton 6-4, before eventually coming to an end at the hands of UAlbany in a Game 3 loss.
 
The #AESB finale is set to begin at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow with three-time reigning champs UMBC looking to defend their title. Should UAlbany takes down the Retrievers they will play one more winner-take-all contest for the conference crown.

2023 #AESB Championship Day 3 Recap
No. 1 UMBC 1, No. 3 UAlbany 0 
  • UMBC's Kya Matter was nearly perfect in the circle as the Retrievers advanced to their fourth consecutive #AESB Championship game. 
  • Offense was sparse through the first three innings, but in the bottom of the fourth Madison Wilson drilled a solo shot for the 1-0 Retriever advantage. 
  • Matter allowed just two hits and three baserunners over the final three innings to clinch the win. She finished with 10 strikeouts and one walk in 7 innings of work. 
  • Kate Powers was impressive in defeat, giving up just one hit in 4.0 innings with four strikeouts. Wendi Hammond came on in relief and surrendered three hits in 2.0 innings without giving up a run.
No. 6 Maine 6, No. 2 Binghamton 4
  • Kelby Drews gave the Black Bears a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third on an RBI single to centerfield, however, Binghamton answered in the bottom of the frame on an Akira Kopec RBI double for a 1-1 score.
  • Maine took back the lead in the top of the fourth, however, it was short lived. Allison L'Amoreaux blasted a two-run homer to right center for a 3-2 Binghamton lead.
  • Jasmine Gray doubled with one out and scooted home on a double by Krista Francia to even the score back up 3-3 in the top of the fifth.
  • In the sixth, Grace McGouldrick ripped a ball over the fence in right with two on base to. push the Black Bear lead to 6-3. Emma Lawson got a run back on a solo shot to cut the deficit to 6-4 entering the final inning.
  • Caitlyn Fallon earned the win, going 6.0 innings with four hits and four earned runs with one strikeout while Alysen Rieth earned the save with her pitching in the seventh.
No. 3 UAlbany 5, No. 6 Maine 3
  • The Black Bears opened up scoring with Kelby Drews running in after a wild pitch in the first.
  • The Great Danes responded with Caitlyn Mitros and Jordan Nastos runs in the bottom of the first to take the lead.
  • Kyrah Haba-Dailey tied the game back up for Maine in the second to earn the innings only run, but Mitros and Morgan Petty shortly follow with with runs in the third to reclaim the lead for UAlbany.
  • Jasmine Grey homered the final run of Maine's season to bring the score within one, but it wasn't enough as Caitlyn Frederick topped off the score 5-3 for UAlbany.
Stay up-to-date on the tournament by visiting Championship Central for streaming and live stats links. After the game, visit for box scores and recaps in addition to team information, tournament history and more.
 
Follow @AmericaEast and @AEGameday on Twitter to get the real-time championship updates. Use the #AEChamps and #AESB hashtags to join the conversation.


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