GREENVILLE, S.C. – Binghamton (7-10) continued its spring break road trip with a split against Furman (8-18) in a non-conference softball doubleheader on Thursday night at Pepsi Stadium. The Bearcats took the opener 11-9 but lost the finale 11-2.

Junior third baseman Sarah Benn hit a team-best .571 (4-for-7) during the doubleheader while sophomore first baseman Alex Guay and senior shortstop Allison Pritchard both went 3-for-7 (.429). Junior outfielder Stephanie Ragusa drove in a team-best three runs while Pritchard added a pair of RBI.  

The Bearcats' victory in the first game was the 225th victory for head coach Michelle Johnston during her 10-year career at Binghamton. The ties the all-time record set by Holly Brown from 1996-06. Johnston currently has a record of 225-209 since being named the head coach in July 2009. Brown went 225-221-3 during her 11-year tenure at Binghamton.

Nursing a 1-0 lead in the opener, Binghamton erupted for six runs in the top of the fourth inning. The Bearcats sent 10 batters to the plate with the big hit being a two-run double by senior shortstop Allison Pritchard.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, however, Furman pulled to within 7-5. The Paladins belted three home runs during the frame, including a two-run shot by Mackensie Greico.

Each team scored three times in the fifth inning but in the top of the sixth inning, Benn scored on a wild pitch, padding the Bearcat lead to 11-8. Furman got a run back in the bottom of the seventh inning but left the tying run at the plate when the game ended.

Junior pitcher Rayn Gibson improved to 4-4 with the win while sophomore pitcher Chelsea Howard recorded her second save of the season. Marissa Giambarda dropped to 0-1 with the loss.
Binghamton pounded out a season-best 16 hits in the victory. Ragusa's three RBI was her career high.

In the nightcap, Furman blew the game open with nine runs in the bottom of the third inning to take a 10-0 lead. The Paladins smacked three home runs during that frame.

Down 11-0 in the top of the fifth inning, the Bearcats broke the shutout when junior catcher Sara Herskowitz doubled home sophomore first baseman Alex Guay. Two batters later, Pritchard scored on a wild pitch.

Emily Demonte improved to 7-9 with the victory while Howard fell to 2-1 with the defeat.

Binghamton begins a three-game series at Winthrop starting with a single game on Friday at 2 p.m.