VESTAL, N.Y. – Sophomore pitcher Brianna Roberts allowed one run on two hits and struck out nine batters, leading Binghamton (18-10, 2-2 AE) to a 3-1 win over UMBC (14-10, 3-1 AE) in an America East softball game on a blustery cold Friday afternoon at the Bearcats Sports Complex. The victory was the third straight for the Bearcats, who wrap up their weekend conference series against the Retrievers with a noon doubleheader on Saturday.

Roberts, who had a perfect game going into the sixth inning, won her third straight decision and is now 7-5 this season. In her last three appearances (16.0 innings total), she has allowed one run on four hits and has struck out 16 batters. Her ERA is now a 2.58. ERA.

Offensively, the Bearcats got all the runs they'd need in the bottom of the fourth inning. Freshman second baseman Maddy Dodig, who went 2-for-3 on the day, singled home senior first baseman Allison L'Amoreaux to put the Bearcats ahead 1-0. She scored one batter later on a two-run home run by redshirt junior third baseman Gabby Guerrero over the left-center field fence.

UMBC finally broke through in the top of the sixth inning on a solo home run by Jolie Torrens over the right field wall. Later in the frame, the Retrievers had the tying run at the plate but Roberts recorded a huge strikeout to get out of the jam.

From there, Roberts set UMBC down in order in the top of the seventh inning to finish the game.

"I'm really proud of the girls today in how they played under tough conditions," head coach Jess Bump said. "It was a big win for us to start off a weekend series against a UMBC team that has won the last four conference titles. Even with the cold weather, we had a really good crowd today. All of our players – even our players on the bench did a great job today."

Kya Matter of UMBC allowed only three runs on five hits through 6.0 innings but her record fell to 6-6.

Redshirt junior designated player Lindsey Walter reached base safely twice and had a sacrifice bunt on her other plate appearance. She also stole a game-high two bases.

The home runs for Guerrero and Torrens were their firsts of the season.