UMBC softball’s sophomore catcher Taylor Hall (Cosby, Va./Cosby) and freshman utility player Danielle O'Neill (Loathian, Md./Southern) each earned America East All-Conference recognition, as announced by the league office on Wednesday. Honorees were voted upon by the conference’s head coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their own players.

UMBC softball took the early advance in their 2013 season finale against Niagara, but were unable to hold off the Purple Eagles, who came from behind for the 4-3 victory with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh inning on Sunday afternoon at Niagara Softball Field. The Retrievers conclude their campaign with an 11-41 record, while Niagara improves to 15-28.

UMBC softball’s sophomore pitcher Miranda Clark (Tampa, Fla./H.B. Plant) fanned a career-best 13 batters, the most by a Retriever pitcher since Stephanie Weigman on April 7, 2010, as Clark picked up her third victory of the season and helped UMBC defeat Niagara, 4-2, in game one of Saturday afternoon’s non-conference doubleheader. The Retrievers held on for a 7-5 win in game two at Niagara Softball Field to improve to 11-40 on the season, while the Purple Eagles fall to 14-28.

UMBC softball closes out its 2013 campaign when it hits the road for a three-game series at Niagara over the weekend. The weekend opens with a doubleheader on Saturday, May 4, with first pitch set for noon at Niagara Softball Field. The Retrievers compete in their season finale on Sunday at 11 a.m.

UMBC softball senior pitcher Heather Brown (Pasadena, Md./Northeast) tossed a beauty in her final appearance at the UMBC Softball Stadium as the Retrievers celebrated Senior Day, but an infielder dribbler in the top of the eighth inning helped Hartford to a 2-0 victory in UMBC’s America East finale.