America East Tournament
MAINE vs. ALBANY
Time, site: Thursday, 1:30 p.m., Bearcats Sports Complex, Vestal, New York
Records: Maine 24-19, Albany 32-16
Last meeting: Albany 5-3 on 4/24/16
Key players: Maine — C Janelle Bouchard (.394-4 homers-35 runs batted in, 13 doubles), LF-C Rachel Harvey (.371-5-22), CF Rachel Carlson (.333-0-15), RF Erika Leonard (.317-2-17, 18 stolen bases), 2B Meghan Royle (.314-3-15), SS Felicia Lennon (.309-4-29), 3B-OF Alyssa Derrick (.300-8-37); Albany — C Elizabeth Snow (.451-12-49), CF Donna Conrad (.378-5-34); SS Maggie Cocks (.373-6-46), 3B McKenzie Bump (.317-3-20), 2B Kelly Costello (.313-3-23), 1B Mackenzie Cleary (.310-4-23), C Chelsea Henige (.299-4-29)
Pitching matchups: Maine — RH Molly Flowers (10-10, 2.59 earned run average, 138 strikeouts in 102 ⅔ innings), LH Erin Bogdanovich (8-4, 3.12), RH Annie Kennedy (6-5, 2.86); Albany — RH Devin Durando (16-8, 3.93), RH Celeste Verdolivo (14-6, 3.94), RH Caitlin Cooper (2-2, 6.89)
Game notes: Maine had a bye on Wednesday while Albany topped Hartford 7-1. Durando, who tossed a three-hitter, went 2-0 vs. Maine this season, allowing seven hits and four runs in two complete game. Albany took two of three from the Black Bears last month in Albany. Maine has the America East Player of the Year in Bouchard, the Pitcher of the Year in Bogdanovich and the Rookie of the Year in Derrick. Albany has hit 40 homers in 48 games. Maine must play good defense and not give the Great Danes any extra outs. Albany is hitting .321 while Maine is at .314. Maine has won five of its last six while Albany has won two in a row.