VESTAL, N.Y. – Simply put, it was a historic day for sophomore catcher Elisa Allen and the Binghamton softball team.

Allen homered three times and drove in six runs, powering the Bearcats (28-12, 13-2 AE) to a 5-1, 8-6 sweep over UMBC (17-25, 11-6 AE) in an America East doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at the Bearcats Sports Complex. With the victories, the Bearcats strengthened their grip on first place in the conference with four league games left to play.

"It was good to be out here today," head coach Jess Bump said. "We knew today was going to be a big day because we had a tough series down at UMBC last time we were  there, so we knew we were going to grind out two wins." 

Entering the doubleheader Allen's 15 home runs were tied for first place in program history with Jessica Phillips, who established the single-season mark in 2010. Allen then proceeded to homer twice in the opening game against UMBC and once more in the finale.

As a team, the Bearcats began the day with 49 home runs - one off the school record of 50 by both the 2011 and 2024 teams. Allen's three homers brought that total to 52 home runs.

For the day, Allen went 3-for-5 (.600) at the plate and also drew a pair of walks. She finished the doubleheader with a .714 on-base percentage and a 2.400 slugging percentage.

With her two home runs in the first game, Allen now has five career two-home run performances, including four this year. In addition, her 43 RBI is the highest single-season total by a Binghamton player since Kate Richard drove in 48 runs during the 2017 campaign.

It was also a milestone day for junior pitcher Brianna Roberts, who scattered one run on five hits, struck out 10 batters and did not issue a walk during the first game. She improved her record to 15-2, which gives her the most wins by a Binghamton pitcher since Sarah Miller also won 15 games in 2016. Roberts also lowered her ERA this season to a conference-best 2.08.

Junior first baseman Emma Lawson went 3-for-6 (.500), scored a team-best four times and had a RBI double during the day. Junior outfielder Bella Farina went 2-for-5 (.400) with a pair of RBI while freshman Rachel Carey was 2-for-6 (.333) and also drove in two runs.

Allen's first home run of the day led off the bottom of the second inning of the opener and broke a scoreless tie. One inning later, Lawson singled home a run and then scored on Allen's three-run home run which went well over the left field wall.

From there, Roberts was able to work her way out of jams in the fifth and sixth innings and retire the final five batters of the game. In the process, she reached the 10-strikeout mark for the fifth time in her career.

Taking the loss was Kya Matter, whose record fell to 12-9.

The nightcap appeared to be a rout at first, as the Bearcats were up 8-0 after four innings of play. Allen belted a two-run home run, Farina hit a two-run single and Carey had both an RBI single and RBI double during that stretch.

UMBC, however, came back with a pair of runs in the fifth inning and four more runs in the sixth inning. Emily Riggs drove in three runs and Jolie Torrens had a pair of RBI during that span.

In the top of the seventh inning, freshman pitcher Savanna McHale came into the game and retired the final three batters . She now has a team-best three saves this season.

Junior pitcher Olivia Kennedy went the first 6.0 innings, struck out 10 batters and raised her record to 8-8. Three of the runs she allowed were unearned.

The loss was tagged to Maggie Frisvole, who is now 4-6.

Graduate student outfielder Linsdsey Walter finished the day 3-for-7 (.429) and scored a pair of runs. Senior third baseman Sarah Rende and sophomore second baseman Maddy Dodig each were 2-for-6 (.333).

As a team, Binghamton hit .327 over the course of the two games.

Binghamton wraps up its weekend series against UMBC with a noon game on Sunday. It will be preceded by the Bearcats' annual Senior Day ceremony. This year's honorees include Rende, Walter and graduate student outfielder Brianna Santos.

NOTES: The 18 home runs by Allen is the third-highest total by a player in the America East Conference. She trails only Melanie Denischuck of UMBC (24 in 2006) and Bria Green of Stony Brook (19 in 2015).