Softball Slips In Series Finale To Binghamton, 10-2
BOX SCORE
ALBANY, N.Y. – Battling for first place in the America East standings, Binghamton came away with a 10-2 victory in five innings over the University at Albany softball team in Sunday morning's rainy rubber match. With the loss, the Great Danes fell to 30-14 overall and 10-3 in the America East, while the Bearcats improved to 30-13 on the season and 12-3 in conference play.
“It was a tough day for us in almost every aspect of the game,” said Head Coach Chris Cannata. “We need to take this week to regroup and work on fixing the things that we failed at today. We have another really tough weekend coming up and then the championship so it has to be all in at this point in the year.”
The lead switched hands three times in the first two innings, but Binghamton used nine unanswered runs to steal the victory. In the opening frame, Binghamton plated an unearned run on a double steal, but the Great Danes countered with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning. Freshman McKenzie Bump doubled down the left field line and senior Kelly Costello walked, setting up sophomore Donna Conrad's two-run double to the left-centerfield gap.
However, those ended up being UAlbany's lone runs of the game, as Binghamton pitcher Sarah Miller (14-6) held the Danes to four hits and three walks, while striking out one in the complete game.
Binghamton took the lead for good in with a pair of runs in the top of the second on Jess Rutherford's two-run single.
In the fourth, the Bearcats strung together five hits for five runs before taking an eight-run advantage in the fifth, 10-2. Kate Richard knocked a leadoff home run and Lisa Cadogan capped the frame with a sacrifice fly.
UAlbany looked to extend the game, loading the bases with two outs in the bottom of the fifth, but Miller drew a groundout, ending the contest.
Sophomore Devin Durando (15-7) took the loss, allowing three unearned runs and two hits in the opening 1.2 innings. Celeste Verdolivo and Caitlin Cooper also shared time in the circle.
Up next, the Great Danes close out the regular season schedule with a three-game series at Stony Brook on Friday and Saturday.
