April 27, 2008

Box Score

Stony Brook, N.Y. - A three-run home run by junior Molly Kestranek (St. Mary's, Ga.) in the bottom of the sixth inning proved to be the difference as Stony Brook softball topped Albany 4-2 Sunday at University Field. Stony Brook improves to 26-18-1 (11-7 America East) while Albany falls to 26-15 (13-5 America East).

Sophomore Alyssa Struzenberg (Cooper City, Fla.) and Albany's Leah McIntosh went pitch-for-pitch over the first three innings, with both starters allowing just two singles each.

In the top of the fourth, Albany's Andrianna Walraven led off with a double to left centerfield and scored when Michelle Connors lined a single to left. Struzenberg retired the next three batters though, to keep the Seawolves within one.

Albany's lead did not last long, as junior Kelsi Fanelli (Audubon, N.J.) tied the game in the bottom half of the inning with a solo homer over the left field wall.

Neither team managed a base runner in the fifth and Struzenberg struck out the side to start off the sixth. McIntosh answered by retiring the first two Seawolves in the bottom of the sixth, but with two outs junior Marissa Fleury (Mahopac, N.Y.) singled to left. Another single by sophomore Jade Clare (Federal Way, Wash.) put runners on first and second with two outs for Kestranek, who took the first pitch she saw over the left field fence and off the scoreboard, to give Stony Brook a 4-1 lead.

Albany did not go quietly, however, as Meagan Butsch led off the top of the seventh with a solo homer to pull the Great Danes within two. After Gina Mason singled through the left side, sophomore Casey Jacobs (Davie, Fla.) was brought in to relieve Struzenberg. Jacobs got the first batter she faced to groundout, struck out the second batter and fielded a grounder back to the mound for the final out of the game.

The win is Struzenberg's 18th on the season and Jacobs recorded her fourth save of the year.

Stony Brook will play two non-conference games on Wednesday in Fairfield, Conn. against Sacred Heart. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.