CLERMONT, FLA.-- On day two of the Spring Break Trip, the SUNY Potsdam softball team (1-3) defeated Becker College (0-2), 5-2 before falling to Pittsburgh at Greensburg (2-0) 9-1 in five innings. Junior pitcher Megan Fish (Getzville, N.Y./Williamsville North) went 3-for-5 with an RBI during the day, and freshman first baseman Claire Donaldson (Lisbon, N.Y./Lisbon) went 1-for-3 with an RBI in game one.

The Bears got on the board in game one in the third inning. After doubling to left center, sophomore catcher Shelby Van Epps (Ballston Lake, N.Y./Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) scored after a throwing error. Sophomore right fielder Jen Darlak (Lockport, N.Y./Wilson) got the second run in after a sacrifice bunt. The scoring came to an end after Fish singled through the right side and brought freshman left fielder Vanessa Brandt (Saugerties, N.Y./Saugerties).   

The Hawks did not go away quietly as they got two runs in the fourth. Emily Lacovelli homered to center field to lead off the inning. After Potsdam recorded an out, Beckers' Vasia Murphy brought the game within one with a solo shot of her own to center field.

The Bears increased their lead in the sixth. With runners on second and third, junior centerfielder Lucy Condon (Kitchener, Ontario/St. David Catholic) grounded out to third, but was able to get one runner across the plate. Donaldson followed Condon with a single through the right side and brought in another run. Potsdam ended the game with a 5-2 victory.

Fish (1-1) earned the victory after pitching 3.1 innings, giving up five hits, two runs and struck out one. Senior captain Alissa McCauley (Malone, N.Y./Franklin Academy) pitched 3.2 innings, allowed no hits and struck out two.

Samantha Belenchia (0-1) received the loss after pitching a complete game, allowing five hits, five runs and striking out one.

Fish went 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Van Epps and Brandt each went 1-for-3 with a run scored.


In game two, the Bears got on the board first. Freshman catcher Hailey LaGiudice (Mt. Sinai, N.Y./Mt. Sinai) hit a sacrifice fly to center field and brought in Donaldson.

The Bobcats however took advantage of walks and errors and put up eight runs in the bottom of the second, to give themselves an 8-1 lead.  

Pittsburgh at Greensburg ended the game in the fifth after Colleen Murphy hit a single through the ride side, scoring Caitlin Kavulick.

Sophomore Kiera Nesbitt (0-2) (Sound Beach, N.Y./Miller Place) received the loss after pitching 1,1 innings, allowing five runs and striking out one. McCauley pitched 2.2 innings, allowed two earned runs and struck out two. Freshman Sierra Ashley (Lisbon, N.Y./Lisbon) faced three batters and allowed one run.

Krista Bayus (1-0) got the win after pitching the complete game, giving up one run on four hits and striking out one.

Fish, Donaldson and freshman first baseman Abby Vaughn (Apalachin, N.Y./Owego Free Academy) each went 1-for-2 in the game.

The Bears are back in action tomorrow for another doubleheader. At 4 p.m. they face Lasell and at 6:15 they go up against Wheaton.