GAINESVILLE, Fla. - It was a historic day for Binghamton (4-5) as it faced a pair of nationally-ranked opponents in the second day of the Florida/Bubly Tournament on Saturday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. The Bearcats squared off against the host Gators, who are ranked second in current National Fastpitch Coaches' Association (NFCA) Top 25 Poll as well as No. 12. Duke. Florida won 10-2 in five innings but the Bearcats hung tough against the Blue Devils before losing 4-0.

The last time Binghamton faced a pair of nationally-ranked teams on the same day came back on Feb. 28, 2015 at the Arizona State Tournament. The host Sun Devils were ranked No. 22 while Michigan was third. 

In addition, Florida represents the highest-ranked team the Bearcats have faced since they met then top-ranked Tennessee back on Feb. 14, 2014 at the South Florida Tournament.

"I'm glad the girls got out on the field today against two Top 25 teams," head coach Jess Bump said. "Florida has the best offense in the country, and we were a few timely hits away from making it a game. We bounced back nicely against Duke, and hit the ball hard."

Against the Blue Devils in the second game, Binghamton got a solid pitching performance from sophomore starter Delaney Glover. She pitched all 6.0 innings and scattered just four runs on five hits. Facing the defending Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) champions, Glover allowed just eight total base runners. 

Duke, however, did come through with three runs in the bottom of the third inning and added an insurance run three innings later. Two of the Blue Devils' runs were scored by Ana Gold. Duke is now 6-3 this season.

Sophie Garner-MacKinnon was the winning pitcher (and is now 1-1) while Glover's record dropped to 1-1 with the loss. Still, in her first 15.0 innings of the season, Glover's ERA is 2.40. She is the current America East Pitcher of the Week. 

Junior first baseman Emma Lawson went 2-for-3 against Duke and was 3-for-6 during the two games. For the season, she is now hitting a team-best .423.

Against Florida in the first game, the Bearcats ran up against a squad that improved their record to 13-0 so far this season. The Gators' big bat against Binghamton was Cassidy McLellan, who was 2-for-3 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored.

For the Bearcats, sophomore catcher Elisa Allen drove in their first run when she was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the top of the third inning. Heading into the frame, the Gators were up 5-0. For the season, Allen now has a team-best eight RBI.

The other Bearcat run against the Gators was scored by sophomore shortstop Akira Kopec in the top of the fourth inning. She took advantage of a fielding error to trim the deficit to 8-2.

Ava Brown improved to 3-0 with the victory while the loss was tagged to junior Olivia Kennedy, whose record fell to 1-3.

FIve different Binghamton players - including Lawson - had hits against Florida.

Heading into tomorrow's tournament finale against Providence - which is set for 10 a.m. - the Bearcats have received solid performances from all four of their pitchers so far this weekend. In addition to Glover and Kennedy, junior Brianna Roberts and freshman Savanna McHale have taken the mound.

"I've been pleased with all four of our pitchers this weekend and how they are keeping us in games," Bump said. "Our hits will come as we move throughout the season and our defense will sharpen up. We are excited to see how the rest of the season unfolds if we can put all three phases together."