VESTAL, N.Y. – Sophomore third baseman
Kate Richard belted a two-run double, leading Binghamton (26-12, 10-2 AE) to a 3-2 win over Stony Brook (21-21-2, 9-5 AE) in an America East softball game before a facility-record crowd of 531 fans on Sunday afternoon at the Bearcats Sports Complex. With the victory, the Bearcats sweep the three-game weekend series from Stony Brook and move into sole possession of second place in the conference.
Richard, who finished the day 2-for-3, delivered her clutch hit with the game scoreless in the bottom of the fourth inning. There were two outs and the bases were loaded at the time.
One inning later, junior outfielder
Gabby Bracchi made it 3-0 when she scored on a sacrifice fly by sophomore outfielder
Jessica Rutherford. Brachhi was 2-for-2 on the day and reached base all three times she came up to bat.
Stony Brook mounted a rally in the top of the seventh inning. Alexandra Pisciotta smacked a one-out, solo home run over the left field fence, trimming the deficit to 3-1. It was her seventh home run of the season and her second in as many games.
Diane Caruso brought Stony Brook to within 3-2 when she scored on an infield single by Irene Rivera. The Bearcats, however, were able to get the final out to hold on for the victory.
Senior pitcher
Cara Martin, who threw the first four innings, improved to 8-3. Sophomore pitcher
Sarah Miller tossed the last three innings to nail down her first save of the year.
The loss was tagged to Jane Sallen, whose record fell to 14-12. None of the three runs she gave up were earned.
Bracchi finished the weekend a team-best .571, going 4-for-7 and scoring five times. She also drew three walks and was hit by a pitch, finishing with an on-base percentage of .757.
Sophomore
Stephanie Bielec, who was 1-for-3 on Sunday, hit .556 during the series (5-for-9). Richard and senior designated player
Griffin McIver each went 4-for-9 (.444).
As a team, the Bearcats hit .432 and finished with a 2.58 ERA.
Up next for Binghamton is a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday at Buffalo starting at 2 p.m.
