VESTAL, N.Y. – Sophomore pitcher Rayn Gibson scattered one run on six hits and earned the complete-game victory, leading Binghamton (17-23) to a 3-1 win over Maine (20-24) in the opening round of the America East Tournament on Wednesday morning at the Bearcats Sports Complex. The Bearcats remain in the winner's bracket of the double-elimination tournament and face Albany on Thursday at 11 a.m.

Gibson settled down from a couple of early jams to improve her record to 7-12. She was backed up by a Bearcat defense that did not commit an error.

Senior outfielder Jessica Rutherford went 2-for-3 and played a role in the first two runs of the game. She scored on a double play in the top of the first inning and drove in the second run on a sacrifice fly two innings later.

Freshman outfielder Lauren Martinez padded the lead to 3-0 when she led off the top of the fifth inning with a home run. It was her second home run of the season and landed just inside the left field foul pole.

Defensively, senior outfielder Carrie Mannicia came up with a diving catch on a Maine line drive to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning. That catch would prove vital as one batter later, Alyssa Derrick drilled a solo home run over the right-center field fence, trimming the deficit to 3-1.

The Black Bears threatened again in the bottom of the seventh inning but Maniccia caught a foul ball on the left field warning track for the final run of the game.

Annie Kennedy was tagged with the loss, dropping her record to 9-8.

Senior second baseman Jill Bovitt finished the game 2-for-3.