UMBC

Amanda Fefel had both of UMBC's hits against Albany.

ALBANY, N.Y.—UMBC pitcher Ashley Gray threw six strong innings but was out-dueled by Albany ace Leah McIntosh in the fourth-seeded Retrievers’ 4-0 loss to No. 1 Albany Thursday afternoon in the first game of the America East Softball Championships at Albany Field.

Gray allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits and four walks while striking out six in the complete game loss. McIntosh fanned 12 batters and allowed just two hits – both to first baseman Amanda Fefel – and a walk in the seven-inning shutout.

The teams took a scoreless tie into the fourth inning before the Great Danes scored two runs on a pair of singles and an error. With one out and a runner on first base, right fielder Jessica Bergin singled to center, and the ball got past UMBC center fielder Lynn Pronobis and rolled all the way to the fence, allowing third baseman Megan Butsch to score from first. The next batter, first baseman Leanne Tillman singled up the middle to drive Bergin home for the 2-0 lead

Albany loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth on an infield single, a walk and a hit batter. Designated player Gina Mason then doubled to right field to drive in two runners, but the inning ended when Butsch was thrown out at the plate trying to score the third run of the inning.

Fefel doubled with one out in the top of the seventh, the Retrievers’ first hit since her single in the second inning, and their first baserunner since designated player Krista Kearns walked to lead off the third. But Fefel was stranded their when McIntosh recorded her 11th and 12th strikeouts to end the game.

Fefel recorded both of the Retrievers’ hits, while Albany left fielder Amber Maisonet reached base in all three plate appearances on two hits and a walk.

UMBC will take on the loser of the No. 2 Boston University/No. 3 Stony Brook game on Friday at 1:30 p.m.