POTSDAM, N.Y.—SUNY Cortland (28-10, 14-2 SUNYAC) swept a pair of SUNYAC contests from the SUNY Potsdam softball team (5-24, 0-14) on Friday afternoon. The Red Dragons held off a late Bears rally for a 6-3 win in Game 1 and ran away for a 17-2 victory in Game 2. Sophomore shortstop Jordan Ott (Hilton, N.Y./Hilton) was 4-for-6 with a run and an RBI for the Bears. Junior infielder Katie Marsman (Wantagh, N.Y./Wyoming Seminary) was 3-for-5 with a run scored. Cortland junior centerfielder Jamie Bucci (Tarrytown, N.Y./Sleepy Hollow) was 3-for-5 with three runs and an RBI and junior left fielder Diane Cork (Wayland, N.Y./Wayland-Cohocton) matched her at the plate while totaling two runs and four RBI.
 
In Game 1, Red Dragon designated hitter Andrea Schoonmaker (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Marlboro) opened the scoring in the top of the second with a leadoff triple and then scored on an error. Cortland added two more in the top of the fourth on an RBI single from sophomore second baseman Rose Phillips (Geneva, N.Y./Our Lady of Mercy) and an error. Sophomore first baseman Mikayla Shade (Bethlehem, N.Y./Bethlehem) made it 4-0 an inning later with a solo shot off the top of the left centerfield fence.
 
Ott got the Bears on the board in the bottom of the fifth by ripping a double to dead center that scored sophomore first baseman Erin Murphy (Kingston, N.Y./Kingston). Cork drove in Cortland's fifth run in the top of the sixth and Bucci scored on the ensuing throw to make it 6-1.
 
Potsdam countered with two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Marsman led off with a single to right and freshman catcher Lauren Brace (Moriah, N.Y./Moriah) reached on a error. Junior captain Alexis Lerman (Fayetteville, N.Y./Jamesville-DeWitt) followed with a single to load the bases with nobody out. Two batters later, freshman centerfielder Lyndale Nephew (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Seton Catholic) singled up the middle, scoring Marsman and sophomore pinch runner Erin Tremblay (Fort Covington, N.Y./Salmon River) and closing the gap to 6-3. With two outs, sophomore right fielder Noelle Rufa (Helena, N.Y./St. Lawrence Central) lofted a fly ball to left center. Bucci caught the ball and held on to end the inning despite colliding with Cork. After the Red Dragons went in order in the top of the seventh, junior left fielder/pitcher Carina Chirinko (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) worked a one-out walk, but was erased on a fielder's choice.
 
Chinko (1-10) allowed two earned runs on four hits in four innings, while striking out two and walking three. Freshman Jaime Hoskins (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) allowed three runs on six hits and totaled two K's and a walk in the final three innings.
 
Cortland sophomore Jamie Lachall (Philadelphia, Pa./Sun Valley) (10-2) allowed two earned runs on seven hits in the first five innings and struck out three. Freshman Katie Pitkin (Brownville, N.Y./General Brown) pitched 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing a hit, a walk and recording a strikeout. Freshman Kirstyn Alonzo (Mechanicville, N.Y./Mechanicville) earned her first career save with a perfect two-thirds of an inning.
 
The Red Dragons broke the finale open with nine runs on seven hits and two walks in the top of the first. Cork's three-run triple highlighted the outburst. Ott led off the bottom of the inning with a single up the middle and scored on a Lerman infield hit.
 
Cortland tacked on two more in the second, three in the third and two in fourth to make it 16-1. The Bears got their second run on a single to right off the bat of sophomore catcher Angela Yodis (Duanesburg, N.Y./Duanesburg) that scored senior Rachel Spiker (Grand Island, N.Y./Grand Island). The Red Dragons added a final run on a fielder's choice in the top of the fifth for the 17-2 final.
 
Potsdam freshman pitcher Meghan Dougherty (East Greenbush, N.Y./Columbia) (2-5) was roughed up for seven runs on five hits and two walks in 0.2 innings. Hoskins allowed eight earned runs on 12 hits in the next 2.1 and Chirinko gave up one run in the last 2.0 innings.
 
Senior pitcher Sarah Salamone (Liverpool, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) (7-4) went the distance for Cortland, allowing one earned run on six scattered hits.
 
The Bears wore pink jerseys for their annual Strike Out Cancer game. Sophomore outfielder Kelly Becker's (Mahopac, N.Y./Mohopac) mother Rhonda, who is currently battling breast cancer, threw out the first pitch.
 
The Bears wrap up their season tomorrow afternoon with a doubleheader against Oswego State starting at noon.

 

Bears sophomore outfielder Kelly Becker's Mom Rhonda, who is battling the disease, throws out the first pitch.

The Bears in Pink with Rhonda Becker.