University of Albany Softball Defeats Boston U. to Claim America East Conference Regular-Season Title: UAlbany Athletics

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Sophomore second baseman Michelle Connors drove a solo home run over the left-field fence to lead UAlbany to a 3-0 win over Boston University in a showdown for first place in the America East Conference standings on Sunday, May 4 at Albany Field. UAlbany’s victory completed a three-game sweep of the Terriers and clinched the conference’s regular-season title. The Great Danes, who finished 32-15 overall and 16-5 in league play, will be the top seed for this week’s America East postseason tournament.

UAlbany scored two runs in the bottom of the second inning to take an early lead. Senior first baseman Leanne Tillman led off with a single to right field and was replaced on the base path by Tara Dalton. Right fielder Jess Bergin reached on a Boston U. error, and both runners advanced an extra base on the play. Catcher Kat Smith then hit a ground ball to the shortstop, but Dalton beat the throw to the plate and Bergin moved up to third on the fielders’ choice. Center fielder Nicole Kothe grounded out to the third baseman during the next at bat, allowing Bergin to cross the plate. Boston U. pitcher Kelley Engman then induced two ground outs to end the inning.

Connors gave the Great Danes a three-run cushion in the third with her team-leading eighth home run of the season. UAlbany hurler Leah McIntosh tossed her second shutout game in as many days, striking out six opposing batters and scattering four hits in a complete-game performance.

Engman also threw a complete game, allowing four hits and issuing just one walk without recording a strikeout for Boston U. (29-21, AE 15-6). Right fielder Rachel Moeller had two of the Terriers’ four hits.

“We haven’t played well consistently all year long,” said UAlbany head coach Chris Cannata, who has guided the program to three consecutive America East Conference tournament titles and three NCAA berths. “I thought that we would be playing better as the season went on because of our younger kids. We played well all week, against Siena and Manhattan, leading into the weekend. Taking three games from any team is tough, let alone a good team like Boston.”

UAlbany, which went 16-1 on its home field this season, will host the America East Conference Championship, a double-elimination tournament, on May 8-10.

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Boston U. (29-21, AE 15-6) 000 000 0 - 0 4 1

UAlbany (32-15, AE 16-5) 021 000 x - 3 4 0

Boston U.: Kelley Engman and Christy Leath.

UAlbany: Leah McIntosh and Kat Smith.