VESTAL, N.Y. - Sunday afternoon started with the Binghamton softball team's annual Senior Day ceremony. It ended just over two hours later with the Bearcats celebrating their winning the America East regular-season championship. In between those two events, Binghamton (29-12, 14-2 AE) defeated UMBC (17-25, 11-7 AE) 5-1 at the Bearcats Complex to sweep the three-game weekend conference series. 

This marks the fourth time in program history that Binghamton has captured the America East regular-season title - and the third time it won the crown outright. The Bearcats were also the sole champions in both 2016 & 2017 and shared the championship last year with UAlbany. 

"Winning the regular-season title shows that all the hard work and preparation that we've put in since August is paying off," head coach Jess Bump said. "We shared the (regular season) title last year but I think we are a different team this year and we are more confident. Hopefully, we can continue to gain momentum this next week before the tournament."

Against UMBC on Sunday, junior pitcher Brianna Roberts scattered one run on three hits and struck out 12 batters. At the plate, senior third baseman Sarah Rende homered and drove in a game-high three runs while sophomore second baseman Maddy Dodig singled home the other two runs.

Rende's two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning - which was her ninth of the season - broke open a scoreless tie. In the top of the third inning, Emily Riggs, however, sliced the Bearcats' lead in half with a solo home run.

The Bearcats got the breathing room they needed by plating three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Dodig came through with her two-run single and scored one batter later on a double by Rende.

With her 16th win of the season, Roberts now has the most wins by a Binghamton pitcher since Charlene Cook won 18 games back in 1997. Her 16 wins also ranks fourth among the program's single-season victory leaders. Amanda Schilling won 19 games in 1994 while Cook also won 18 times during the 1995 campaign.

For UMBC, Kya Matter went the distance against Roberts for the second time during the weekend series. Her record, however, fell to 12-10.

Also on Sunday against the Retrievers, junior first baseman Emma Lawson went 3-for-4 and tied her career high with a pair of doubles. She finished the series against the Retrievers batting a team-best .600 (6-for-10). Lawson now leads the America East with a .392 batting average.

Rende ended the weekend hitting .500 (4-for-8) while Dodig went 4-for-9 (.444).

Rende was one of three Binghamton graduating players who were honored during the program's annual Senior Day ceremony. She was joined by graduate student outfielders Brianna Santos and Lindsey Walter.

Binghamton will be the No. 1 seed at the America East Tournament for the third time in program history. Last season, UAlbany held the tie breaker and the Bearcats settled for the No. 2 seed. The four-day conference tournament will be held at the Bearcats Sports Complex May 7-10. To purchase tickets to the America East Tournament - and for more information - click here.

The Bearcats' first game at the America East Tournament will be in the second round of the double-elimination event on Thursday, May 8 at 11 a.m. Binghamton will face either the No. 4 or No. 5 seed.

Before the America East Tournament, however, the Bearcats have five regular-season games remaining. Binghamton heads to Colgate on Tuesday for 2 p.m. doubleheader and then travels to UAlbany for a three-game series Friday-Saturday.

NOTES: Binghamton's 14 conference wins ties its highest total since joining the America East in 2002. The Bearcats also won 14 times during the 2013, 2016 and 2024 seasons … Binghamton is hosting the America East Tournament for the sixth time since 2013. It was also the home team in 2016, 2017, 2018 as well as 2022 … on Sunday against UMBC, Lawson and Rende both extended their hitting streaks to nine games … Rende's home run was her ninth of the season … junior outfielder Bella Farina was 1-for-2 on Sunday and scored a game-high two runs.