BURLINGTON, Vt. – Sara Malda pitched a three-hitter, striking out four, to lead fourth-seeded Albany to a 4-0 victory over the third-seeded University of Maine in the America East softball tournament at the University of Vermont.

The Black Bears, who were shut out for the second straight game, were eliminated from the tourney and wind up their season at 26-31.

The Great Danes scored three runs in the third inning off Maine starter Jenna Merchant (17-11), who was pitching with a stress fracture in her foot. Albany scored on a Liz Wieboldt RBI triple and a Megan Craft RBI single.

Craft stole home for Albany’s fourth run of the game. Jen Nolette knocked in Albany’s first run with an RBI single in the second inning.

Candace Jaegge relieved Merchant after 2? innings and did not allow a hit while striking out three in 3? innings for Maine. Katherine Churchill led the Bears with two singles.

Maine (26-31) 000 000 0 – 0 3 3

Albany (30-19) 013 000 X – 4 6 0

Merchant , Jaegge (2) and Tibbetts; Maida and Kowal

Saint Joseph’s stays alive

At Lakewood, N.J., after dropping a morning game to Teikyo Post University 5-0, the Saint Joseph’s College Monks rebounded to eliminate the University of Maine-Farmington 4-1 in the NAIA Northeast Regional.

Saint Joseph’s will play the loser of Teikyo and Georgian Court and the winner will advance to Saturday’s regional championship game.

In the second game, Cortney Sirois singled twice to help lead the Monks while Sarah Ouellette had an RBI single and a sacrifice fly. Kristen Gaudette (11-9) pitched a three-hitter.

Richelle Dube hit an RBI single and stole a base to help pace the UMF Beavers.

In the first game, Laura DiNapoli (14-7) pitched a three-hitter to outpitch Searsport’s Sarah Webster and notch a shutout.

(First Game)

Saint Joseph’s 000 000 0 – 0 3 3

Teikyo Post 200 120 x – 5 7 1

Webster, Dowling (4) and Picard; DiNapoli and Tarallo

(Second Game)

UM-Farmington (21-14) 100 000 0 – 1 3 1

Saint Joseph’s (27-17) 110 110 x – 4 8 1

Wenckus and Robertson, Seubert (4); Gaudette and Picard