HARRISONBURG, Va. – Senior outfielder
Sydney Harbaugh homered and drove in a career-high five runs, leading Binghamton (3-3) to a 15-5, six inning win over Robert Morris (2-8) in the opening day of the James Madison /Macado's Invitational. The game marked the Bearcats' first trip to Harrisonburg since the NCAA Regional last May.
With the Bearcats already up 12-5 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Harbaugh finished the game with a three-run home run over the left-center field fence. It was her first homer of the year.
One inning earlier, Harbaugh delivered a two-run single to put the Bearcats up 11-5. For the day, she finished 2-for-4, drew a walk and scored a pair of runs.
Senior catcher
Lisa Cadogan drove in three runs while junior outfielder
Gabby Bracchi and sophomore third baseman
Kate Richard each had two RBI. Bracchi also stole a career-high three bases.
Richard and sophomore second baseman
Stephanie Bielec each finished with a team-high three hits.
Robert Morris held a 4-0 lead after the first half inning but Binghamton scored twice in each of the next three innings to go up 6-4. Cadogan had a two-run single to tie the game in the bottom of the second inning. Bracchi singled home another two runs one inning later.
The Colonials got a run back in the top of the fourth inning but junior shortstop
Crysti Eichner answered with a solo homer in the bottom of the frame. It was her first home run of the season.
With Harbaugh lead the way, Binghamton scored four more runs in both the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings to seal the win.
Sophomore pitcher
Sarah Miller pitched the first four innings to raise her record to 2-3. Only one of the runs she allowed was earned. Senior pitcher
Cara Martin tossed two scoreless innings to record her first save of the year. The loss was tagged to Laura Coulter, whose record dropped to 0-3.
Binghamton continues play at the JMU/Macado Invitational on Saturday with game against Robert Morris (12:30 p.m.) and St. Joseph's (5 p.m.).
NOTES: The 15 runs and 15 hits both were season highs for Binghamton. The Bearcats have now pounded out at least 10 hits in three of their first six games of the season ... Bracchi and Richard both tied their career high with three hits.
