CHARLESTON, S.C. – Senior designated hitter Sophia Pappas hit two home runs, highlighting Binghamton's split in the opening day of the College of Charleston Invitational on Friday afternoon at the COC Softball Stadium. The Bearcats (4-3) rallied for a 3-2, eight-inning victory over Holy Cross (0-2) in the first game before dropping a 4-2 decision to Lipscomb in the nightcap.

Pappas clubbed both of her home runs in the first game as the Bearcats came back from a 2-0 deficit against the Crusaders. Her first blast came in the bottom of the fourth inning and the game-tying shot came with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning. In the process, Pappas becomes the first Binghamton player to homer twice in a game since current senior Makayla Alvarez against Colgate on April 2, 2019.

The international tie-breaking rule applied in the bottom of the eighth inning and freshman pinch runner Lindsey Walters was inserted at second base. She was bunted over to third base on a single by senior third baseman Alli Richmond and scored the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly by senior outfielder Chloe Morgan.

Sophomore pitcher Allie L'Amoreaux went the full eight innings, scattering two runs on six hits and striking out six batters to improve her record to 3-1. She shut out the Crusaders over the final 5.0 innings. Her ERA for the season is now 2.33.

"Game one was a big win and I was proud of how the girls never quit," head coach Jess Bump said. "We struggled to make adjustments offensively but we came up with timely hits and were locked in when we needed to be."

Richmond finished the first game 2-for-3 with a double. She is now batting a team-best .389 so far this season.

Again Lipscomb, the Bearcats quickly took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Freshman outfielder Alayna Harbaugh led off with a single and later scored on a wild pitch.

Graduate student pitcher Chlelsea Howard blanked the Bison over the first five innings, allowing just a pair of hits. In the bottom of the sixth inning, however, she was tagged for four runs. Maci Conconan and Elise Shewmaker each belted an RBI triple and scored a run during that frame.

The Bearcats got a run back in the top of the seventh inning when L'Amoreaux – who played at first base against the Bison – drove in a run on a fielder's choice. The tying run, however, was left at the plate when the game ended.

Laine Barefoot scattered two runs on three hits to raise her record to 1-1. Howard took the loss, dropping her record to 1-1.

"Chelsea threw a great game against Lipscomb," Bump said. "We barreled some balls right at people and a few things just didn't go our way. We are looking to get back on the field and make some adjustments for tomorrow."

The Bearcats are back in action on Saturday, with a 9:30 a.m. rematch against Lipscomb as well as a noon game against the College of Charleston.