Binghamton University Athletics

VESTAL, N.Y. – Senior third baseman Sarah Rende hit a grand slam and freshman designated player Rachel Carey clubbed a pair of home runs, highlighting Binghamton's sweep over Bryant in an America East softball doubleheader on Friday at the Bearcats Sports Complex. The Bearcats (19-11, 5-2 AE) won the opener 10-2 in six innings and outlasted the Bulldogs (11-20, 3-5 AE) 8-6 in the nightcap.

Rende's grand slam, which was the second of her career, capped a five-run fifth inning in the first game. The Bearcats entered the frame nursing a 4-2 lead but junior outfielder Bella Farina started the scoring with an RBI single. Two batters later, Rende belted her decisive blow over the left field fence.

The Bearcats were then able to finish off the victory one inning later when junior first baseman Emma Lawson delivered an RBI double. That hit gave the Bearcats the 10-2 win via the eight-run rule.

Junior pitcher Brianna Roberts went the distance in the first game, scattering two runs on four hits and striking out a career-high 13 batters. After falling behind 2-0 before she recorded an out, Roberts held the Bulldogs scoreless the rest of the game to improve to 10-2.

Taking the loss was Maddy Wachter, whose record fell to 6-3.

Sophomore second baseman Maddy Dodig finished the first game 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI. It was her two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth inning that broke a 2-2 deadlock and put the Bearcats ahead for good.

Farina finished the first game with three runs scored. In addition to singling home a run, she drew a pair of walks. 

Carey, meanwhile, belted both of her home runs during the second game. She led off both the bottom of the second and fifth innings with solo shots and is now tied for first in the America East with nine home runs.

The Bearcats trailed 4-1 entering the bottom of the fourth inning of the nightcap but came up with five runs to take a 6-4 lead. Rende had a sacrifice fly during the frame and graduate student outfielder Brianna Santos hit a two-run double.

Carey's second home run of the game padded the lead to 7-4 but the Bulldogs responded with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning. Jaylen Lee tripled home the first run and later scored on a sacrifice bunt.

Lawson then gave the Bearcats some breathing room in the bottom of the sixth inning with a RBI single.

Freshman pitcher Savanna McHale held Bryant scoreless in the top of the seventh inning to lock up the victory. She pitched 1.1 scoreless innings to record her first collegiate save. Earning the win was sophomore pitcher Delaney Glover, who is now 2-1 this season.

The loss was tagged to Brooke Tracy, who is now 0-6.

Santos, Lawson, Dodig and Carey all finished the day with a .500 batting average. Santos and Lawson were 3-for-6 while Carey and Dodig were 2-for-4. For the season, Lawson leads the America East with a .377 batting average and 27 RBI.

As a team, the Bearcats hit .354 during the doubleheader.

Binghamton and Bryant conclude their three-game series with a 3 p.m. contest on Saturday

NOTES: Sophomore catcher Elisa Allen has also hit a conference-best nine home runs this season … Roberts now has five career games with 10+ strikeouts. She leads the America East in wins and is tied for first with 79 strikeouts … Farina's three runs in the first game tied her career high ... Rende's previous grand slam also came against Bryant, back on April 15, 2023.