The Red Hawks softball team fell in a weekend doubleheader to non-conference rival SUNY Albany. Rensselaer was overmatched by the Division I Great Danes, and Albany swept the Red Hawks 6-1 and 5-1.
In the early game, Rensselaer pitcher Shannon Smith was outpitched by Albany pitcher Sarah Maida. Maida three-hit the Red Hawks, allowing only one run while striking out eight. Rensselaer couldn’t figure Maida out, with the only hits of the game coming to Liz Vitaliano, Marissa Crisafasi, and Smith. The Great Danes’ offense was led by Lynnette Bohannon, who hit a three run triple in the fifth to seal the 6-1 victory for Albany.
The second game of the evening saw another Great Danes pitching gem. Danielle Buyea again allowed only one Red Hawk run to get her third win of the season, beating Rensselaer 5-1. Ali O’Connor pitched for the Red Hawks, tallying three strike outs while giving up four earned runs on seven hits.
For the last two games of the season, the Red Hawks traveled to Rochester. In the first game of the double header, Smith pitched a complete game shutout and Megan Porter led the offense on the way to a 6-0 victory. In the second game, Porter continued her strong game as Danielle Haberman and O’Connor combined on a fine pitching performance to lead the Red Hawks to a 4-3 victory and the double header sweep.
Despite the dismal weekend performance, the Red Hawks took the top seed in the NYSWCAA, earning a first-round bye. This was the end for a successful regular season for Rensselaer—they finished the year at 21-14, 7-1 in UCAA play, and will begin play in the double elimination tournament Saturday at 10 am at Union.
