VESTAL, N.Y. – Binghamton (25-21, 9-2 AE) broke out the bats in the first game and took advantage of a huge error in the second game en route to a 12-3, 6-5 sweep over Stony Brook (21-20, 9-4 AE) in an America East softball doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at the Bearcats Sports Complex. The first game was decided in five innings while the nightcap came down to the bottom of the seventh inning.
Senior designated player
Griffin McIver and senior outfielder
Sydney Harbaugh led a balanced Bearcat offense with three RBI each. McIver finished a 4-for-6 (.667) and belted her team-best ninth home run of the season. Harbaugh, meanwhile, was 3-for-7 (.429) with a double and a sacrifice fly.
Sophomore second baseman
Stephanie Bielec also went 4-for-6 while senior catcher
Taylor Chaffee was 3-for-5 (.600) with a pair of RBI. Sophomore outfielder
Jessica Rutherford, meanwhile, finished 3-for-6 (.500) and scored twice.
Down 3-0 to start the bottom of the third inning of the first game, Binghamton erupted for nine runs. Harbaugh had a single and a two-run double during that frame. Bielec added a RBI single and McIver drew a bases loaded walk.
One inning later, McIver belted a two-run home run over the center field fence and sophomore third baseman
Kate Richard followed with her seventh home run of the year. That gave the Bearcats the cushion they needed to finish off the game in five innings.
Senior pitcher
Cara Martin improved to 7-3 while Jane Sallen dropped to 14-11 with the loss.
Despite pounding out 12 hits, the Bearcats trailed 5-4 with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning of the second game. In the previous six innings, Binghamton had left 11 runners on base.
With runners on first and third, Harbaugh hit what appeared to be a pop fly into left field to end the game. The ball, however, was misplayed by Stony Brook and both runners came around to seal the victory.
One inning earlier, the Bearcats scored a pair of runs to take a 4-2 lead. Junior outfielder
Gabby Bracchi tripled home a run and scored one batter later on Harbaugh's sacrifice fly.
Down to their last three outs, Stony Brook came back with three runs in the top of the seventh inning. Alexandra Pisciotta tied the game on a two-run home run to left field. The go ahead run was scored on an infield single by Lexie Shue.
Makenzie Goluba, who came on in relief in the top of the seventh inning, improved to 5-0 with the win. Maddy Nealis fell to 7-7 despite not giving up an earned run.
Bracchi was 2-for-5 (.400) but drew three walks and scored four times.
As a team, the Bearcats hit .481 during the doubleheader.
Binghamton and Stony Brook conclude their weekend series with a noon game on Sunday.
