Softball Slips 5-3 To Binghamton At America East Tournament
BOX SCORE I CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL
STONY BROOK, N.Y. – Setting the tone early with a game-opening home run, the third-seeded Binghamton Bearcats overcame the No. 2 University at Albany softball team, 5-3, Thursday afternoon on the first day of the America East Tournament on the campus of Stony Brook University. With a 30-17 overall record, the Great Danes will now play No. 4 Maine at 1:30 p.m. on Friday in an elimination game.
“It's a disappointing loss for us,” said Head Coach Chris Cannata. “We need to keep our composure a little better, trust our ability and play with confidence. Binghamton is a really good hitting team. We gave them extra outs and it cost us.”
Leadoff hitter Sydney Harbaugh gave the Bearcats a quick 1-0 head start in the first, belting a solo shot off starter Devin Durando. Settling in, Durando retired the next three batters to limit the damage.
The Great Danes looked to counter in the bottom half of the inning, loading the bases on a pair of walks and a hit by pitch. However, Binghamton starter Sarah Miller logged a strikeout to end the side.
The Bearcats took a 3-0 lead in the third, taking advantage of a pair of errors. Harbaugh crossed the plate on a wild pitch, and Stephanie Bielec scored on a misplayed ball at second.
In the fourth, Binghamton tacked on a pair of runs on Tia Smith's two-run blast for a 5-0 advantage.
However, the Great Danes rallied in the bottom of the fourth when senior Marlin Solano broke up Miller's no-hitter with a double to right. Lindsey Haskell took first on a hit by pitch, and senior Jess Tate belted a three-run home run, cutting the margin to two, 5-3.
Those would be the final runs of the game, though, as reliever Cara Martin held the Danes to two hits and no runs in the final three innings to pick up the save. Miller (8-6) earned the win, allowing three runs and two hits in the opening four frames.
Out of the pen, freshman Erynn Sobieski kept Binghamton off the board in the last two innings, allowing just one hit, while striking out one. Durando (14-6) took the loss, allowing three earned runs and five hits, while striking out eight in five frames.
Offensively, UAlbany totaled four hits led by senior Alexa Toole's 2-for-3 performance.
The Great Danes look to survive and advance on day two of the America East Conference tournament, Friday at 1:30 p.m. vs. Maine. The Black Bears were edged by Stony Brook, 2-0, in the first game on Thursday.
