UMBC

Krista Kearns hit two home runs to lead UMBC past Albany.

Baltimore-The UMBC softball team (19-8, 4-2 America East) hit four home runs and the bottom third of the order went 6-for-9 with four RBI and four runs scored as the Retrievers completed a three-game sweep of two-time defending America East champion Albany (16-11, 1-5 America East) with a 6-2 victory Monday afternoon at UMBC Softball Stadium.

Starting pitcher Ashley Gray helped out her own cause in the second inning with a one-out two-run homer to put the Retrievers on the board for the first time, and left fielder Kristi Troster led off the third with her first career home run for a 3-0 lead.

UMBC got its third round-tripper in as many innings in the fourth when right fielder Krista Kearns crushed one to left field, scoring catcher Krissy Licursi, who had reached on an infield hit.

The Great Danes made it 5-1 in the bottom of the fourth when right fielder Bailey Van Deest singled to center to plate shortstop Meagan Butsch, who reached on an infield single to lead off the inning.

Leah McIntosh relieved starting pitcher Casey Halloran in the fifth and struck out the side, but Kearns hit her second home run of the game a solo shot that hooked inside the left field foul pole with one out.

Albany scored an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh on a sacrifice fly off the bat of second baseman Michelle Connors.

Gray (6-4) went the distance in the victory for UMBC, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out seven.

Halloran, the reigning America East Pitcher of the Year, suffered the loss after giving up five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out six in four innings. McIntosh allowed one run on three hits and struck out five in three innings of work.

Troster led the Retrievers at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a homer and a double, while Kearns was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBI. Second baseman Dana Shepherd also had two hits for UMBC.

Center fielder Nicole Kothe was the only Great Dane with two hits.

The Retrievers return to action on Wednesday, April 11, when they host America East rival Binghamton in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.