BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Freshman catcher
Sara Herskowitz homered and drove in four runs, highlighting Binghamton's split against LIU-Brooklyn and Princeton on Saturday afternoon at LIU field. The Bearcats defeated the host Blackbirds (13-18) 8-1 before losing 6-0 to the Tigers (6-8). Earlier in the day, Princeton defeated LIU-Brooklyn 12-10.
Both LIU-Brooklyn and Princeton are defending conference champions who appeared in the NCAA Tournament last year. The Blackbirds represented the NEC while the Tigers captured the Ivy League crown.
Herskowitz, who finished the day 2-for-6, did all of her damage in the opening game against LIU. Junior outfielder
Jessica Rutherford, meanwhile, hit a team-best 3-for-7 (.429).
Against LIU-Brooklyn, Binghamton broke open a scoreless tie with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth inning. Freshman pinch runner
Stephanie Ragusa scored the first run on a wild pitch and Herskowitz double home the second run.
One inning later, the Bearcats tacked on six more runs. Herskowitz had the big blow with a three-run home run. Rutherford scored the first run of the frame on a wild pitch and after the Bearcats batted around, she singled home the final run. Freshman designated hitter
Brook Megna drove in the other run on a bunt single.
Freshman pitcher
Rayn Gibson, the current America East Pitcher of the Week, won her third straight decision to improve to 4-4. She scattered one run on five hits, struck out a pair of batters and issued only two walks. The loss was tagged to Talle Woodson, who is now 5-10.
In the nightcap, however, it was the Tigers who broke the game open early, plating three runs in the top of the first inning. Princeton also plated single runs in the second, fifth and seventh innings.
On the mound, Erica Nori threw the first six innings and held Binghamton to just one hit – an infield single by Rutherford in the fourth inning. Her record is now 2-1. Freshman pitcher
Rozlyn Price took the loss, dropping her record to 2-5.
Binghamton faces Princeton at 10:30 a.m. and LIU-Brooklyn at 1:15 p.m. on Sunday.
NOTES: Rutherford is now batting a team-best .377 so far this season. Herskowitz's home run was her second of the season.
