UMBC

Jessica Vetock hit the game-winning two-run single against Boston U.

ALBANY, N.Y.—Albany ace Leah McIntosh’s second straight shutout of the Retrievers knocked the fourth-seeded UMBC softball team (25-29) out of the America East Championships by a score of 4-0 Friday evening at Albany Field. Earlier in the afternoon, UMBC second baseman Jessica Vetock’s two-out single gave the Retrievers a 5-3 lead over No. 2 Boston University, and UMBC held on for the victory to eliminate the Terriers.

Top-seeded Albany advances to the America East Championship game for the fourth straight season and will attempt to make it four consecutive conference titles Saturday against No. 3 Stony Brook.

No. 4 UMBC 5, No. 2 Boston University 3

Third baseman Amanda Fefel smoked a two-run home run over the left field fence in the bottom of the first inning to give the Retrievers an early 2-0 lead over the Terriers.

BU had runners in scoring position in each of the first three innings, but UMBC starter Stephanie Weigman escaped jams each time. In the first, the Terriers put runners on second and third with one out, but shortstop Melissa Dubay popped out and first baseman Rachel Hebert struck out to end the inning. Then in the third, left fielder Shayne Lotito tripled with one out, but was doubled off third base when catcher Christy Leath popped up her bunt.

But Boston did get on the board in the fourth inning when, after loading the bases on a pair of walks and a fielder’s choice, second baseman Melanie Delgado singled to right to drive in two runs. After designated player Tyler Benson singled up the middle to reload the bases, center fielder April Setterlund hit a sacrifice fly to put the Terriers on top, 3-2.

The Retrievers came right back to tie the game in the bottom of the inning on an infield single by shortstop Dana Shepherd that plated first baseman Julia Culotta, who had singled.

UMBC again loaded the bases in the fifth, setting the stage for Vetock’s game-winning single.

Weigman (14-13) allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out three in the complete game victory. BU starter Cassidy Hardy (14-8) suffered the loss after surrendering five runs on eight hits and four walks in 4.1 innings of work. Megan Currier pitched the final 1.2 frames for Boston and did not allow a run on two hits and a walk.

Fefel and Shepherd each went 2-for-4 to pace the Retrievers’ offense. Delgado was the only Terrier with multiple hits, as she went 2-for-3.

No. 1 Albany 4, No. 4 UMBC 0

UMBC starter Ashley Gray engaged Albany’s McIntosh in a pitcher’s duel, as the pitchers took a scoreless tie into the fifth inning, when the Great Danes loaded the bases. With two outs, third baseman Meagan Butsch doubled to center to drive in two runs, and designated player Gina Mason singled up the middle to plate two more for the 4-0 lead.

A pair of walks in the seventh gave the Retrievers one last glimmer of hope, but a popup ended their hopes of making their second straight appearance in the championship game.

Gray (7-11) suffered the loss after allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out five in the complete game. Five of the Great Danes’ hits occurred in the decisive fifth inning. McIntosh (17-6) blanked the Retrievers for the second day in a row, allowing just one hit – a single to center fielder Lynn Pronobis in the third. She also walked three and struck out seven.