CLERMONT, FLA.—Ohio Northern University (6-3) and the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (5-2) downed the SUNY Potsdam softball team (1-7) 5-1 and 11-2, respectively on Thursday afternoon.
 
The Bears got on the board first against the Polar Bears in the early game. Sophomore shortstop Jordan Ott (Hilton, N.Y./Hilton) reached in the top of the third with a one out infield single. With two outs, junior Katie Marsman (Wantagh, N.Y./Wyoming Seminary) doubled to right center field to score Ott. Ohio Northern countered in the bottom of the fourth. Jenna Hollar tied the game with an RBI single up the middle. Two batters later shortstop Gia Saturday doubled to left to drive in three runs and give the Polar Bears a 4-1 lead. ONU tacked on a final run in the bottom of the fifth third baseman Miranda Huddle singled to left for a final RBI.
 
Potsdam junior pitcher Carina Chirinko (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) (1-3) allowed four runs on four hits in 3.2 innings and walked three. Freshman Meghan Dougherty (East Greenbush, N.Y./Columbia) allowed a final run on three hits over the last 2.1. She recorded two strikeouts. Marsman finished the game a perfect 3-for-3 with an RBI.
 
Kristen Lightel (3-1) went the distance for the Polar Bears, allowing one run and scattering four hits. She struck out 12 and walked just two in her seven innings of work. Saturday and Huddle each went 2-for-3 from the plate for Ohio Northern.
 
Rose-Hulman took advantage of three Bear miscues in the top of second to grab a 5-0 advantage. Right fielder Michelle Korf doubled to right to open the scoring and center fielder Jett Bender singled up the middle for another RBI to highlight the Fightin' Engineers inning. Korf drove in another run in the top of the third with a ground out to make it 6-0. Potsdam answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning. After sophomore right fielder Brittaney Barr (Ogdensburg, N.Y./Ogdensburg Free Academy) reached on a fielder's choice, Ott moved her to third with a single up the middle. Chirinko followed with a double to left center field and the Bears trailed just 6-2. However, Rose-Hulman scored three more in the top of the fourth with three straight extra-base hits. The Engineers closed the scoring with two more in the fifth on a single and an error.
 
Bears freshman pitcher Jaime Hoskins (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) (0-4) was tagged with the loss. She allowed four runs, three earned, on three hits in an inning pitched. Senior pitcher Megan Briner (Corinth, N.Y./Corinth) allowed five runs, four earned, on seven hits in two innings. Dougherty closed out the game with two unearned runs in the final two innings and had a walk and two K's.
 
Taylor Lockhart (3-0) earned the victory with two runs on two hits with two walks and a strikeout. First baseman Marissa Stout led the Engineers offensively with three hits in four at-bats, two RBI's and a run scored.
 
Potsdam wraps up it Florida trip with two games tomorrow. The Bears face Finlandia University at 9 a.m. and Roger Williams University at 11 a.m.