WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Freshman pitcher Morgan Bienkowski scattered two runs on five hits and struck out a career-high seven batters, leading Binghamton (19-28) to a 6-2 win over Albany (26-17) in an America East Tournament elimination game on Thursday afternoon at the Hartford Softball Field. With the victory, the Bearcats advance to a 1:30 p.m. game on Friday against UMass Lowell. 

Binghamton is the first No. 6 seed to advance to the third day of the America East Tournament since the event expanded to six teams in 2016. The Bearcats are now assured of at least a top-four finish.

Offensively, the Bearcats got a pair of RBI by sophomore designated player Hannah Lyons and sophomore shortstop Makayla Alvarez. Junior catcher Sara Herskowitz, meanwhile, went 1-for-2, drew a pair of walks and scored twice.

"We had really good at-bats during the game," head coach Michelle Johnston said. "We had talked about having good at bats and being able to string them together. I just loved Morgan's composure on the mound and her defense is playing well behind her."

Lyons drove in the Bearcats first two runs on a single in the top of the first inning. The Great Danes, however, deadlocked the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth inning.

In the top of the sixth inning, Binghamton blew the game open with four runs. Alvarez stroked a two-run single and later scored on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore outfielder Lauren Martinez. Sophomore third baseman Sarah Benn capped the scoring when she came home on a dropped third strike.

From there, Bienkowski blanked the great Danes over the final two innings. She did not allow a runner past second base during that stretch. The victory improved her record to 6-6 while Miranda Jiminez falls to 5-5. 

Lyons, who finished the day 3-for-4, is now batting a team-best .417 during the America East Tournament (5-for-12). Alvarez, Benn and Herskowitz have all gone 4-for-10 (.400). Alvarez and Herskowitz have hit safely in all three games.

Bienkowski is 2-0 with two-complete game victories. She has struck out 12 batters and has a 2.50 ERA.

NOTES: Dating back to April 28, Binghamton has now won four of its past five games ... Binghamton's last win over Albany in the America East Tournament came in a 2015 first round game. The Bearcats won that game 5-3 ...