PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Binghamton softball team (7-8) was defeated 3-1 by Montana (9-11) in its final game at the Grand Canyon Tournament on Sunday morning.

It was three unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth inning that proved decisive in the game. The Bearcats had taken a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an RBI triple by senior designated player Sophia Pappas. The score stayed that way until Binghamton committed a pair of errors in that bottom of the sixth inning which led to the three runs.

The Bearcats left a pair of runners on base when the game ended in the top of the seventh inning.

Sophomore pitcher Allison L'Amoreaux took the loss despite not allowing an earned run through 5.1 innings. She scattered three runs on five hits, struck out a pair of batters and did not allow a walk. Her record, however, dropped to 4-5.
For Montana, Allie Brock improved to 5-6 with the victory while Dana Butterfield nailed down her first save of the season.

Binghamton outhit Montana 8-5 but unlike the Bearcats, the Grizzles did not commit an error during the game.

Pappas finished 2-for-3 against Montana and also pitched 0.2 scoreless innings in relief. Over the five games at the Grand Canyon Tournament, she hit 6-for-15 (.400) with a home run, a triple and two RBI. For the season, she has driven in a team-best eight runs.

Freshman outfielder Alayna Harbaugh, who scored on Pappas' triple, also finished the tournament 6-for-15 (.400). She now leads the team in batting with a .383 average so far this season.

Senior outfielder Chloe Morgan was 2-for-2 and had a sacrifice bunt against Montana. She ended the weekend hitting .333 (6-for-18).

Senior shortstop Makayla Alvarez was 2-for-3 against the Grizzles.

Binghamton travels to Howard on March 16 for a 1 p.m. game.