VESTAL, N.Y. – Visiting Albany (7-12, 2-3 AE) broke out the bats on Saturday, sweeping Binghamton 11-2 and 6-2 (2-4, 0-4 AE) in an America East softball doubleheader at the Bearcats Sports Complex. The games marked the first of back-to-back doubleheaders between the two teams.

In the opener, the Great Danes jumped out to a 9-1 lead by the middle of the second inning and cruised to the five-inning victory. Madison Petrella belted a three-run home run in the top of the first inning while Tara Driver and Morgan Petty each drove in a pair of runs during the game.

The Bearcats' first run came in the bottom of the first inning. Junior second baseman Marissa Braito led off with a triple and scored two batters later on a sacrifice fly by senior shortstop Makayla Alvarez.

Alvarez scored the Bearcats' other run when junior outfielder Chloe Morgan doubled her home in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Other than allowing those two runs, Albany pitcher Miranda Jiminez kept Binghamton in check during the opener. She allowed just three hits and struck out six batters in raising her record to 3-2.

The loss was tagged to junior pitcher Morgan Bienkowski, whose record fell to 0-2.

In the nightcap, the Great Danes jumped out to a 6-0 lead by the middle of the sixth inning. Petty drove in a pair of runs on an infield single in the top of the first inning and Katie Falotico clubbed a two-run homer in the top of the sixth inning.

The Bearcats were on the verge of getting no hit in the finale before sophomore designated player Sophia Pappas tripled home Morgan and senior catcher Sara Herskowitz in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Pappas now has a team-best seven RBI so far this season while Herskowitz has reached base safely in all six games.

Brianna Garrett did not allow another Binghamton hit the rest of the way, raising her record to 2-1.

Senior pitcher Rayn Gibson struck out a season-best six batters and allowed only a pair of earned runs. Her record fell, however, to 1-2.

The Bearcats and Great Danes begin their Sunday doubleheader at noon.