CLERMONT, FLA.-- The SUNY Potsdam softball team (3-7) fell to Carnegie Mellon (3-5) 4-6 and 4-19 on Thursday afternoon. Senior captain Brooke Falsion (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport) went 3-for-7 on the day, scoring three times. Freshman first baseman Claire Donaldson (Lisbon, N.Y./Lisbon) went 2-for-3 with three RBI. Donaldson and sophomore Sydney Miller (Hoosick Falls, N.Y./Hoosick Falls) each hit their first collegiate home run during the day.

The Tartans opened the scoring of game one in the bottom third. Runners were on second and third when Amanda Schwartz hit on in. Piper Johnson followed Schwartz with a single through the right side to give Carnegie Mellon a 2-0 lead.

The following inning, the lead was extended to four. Kyra Musmanno scored from first after a double from Rae Lasko. Later in the inning Lasko scored off a sacrifice fly.

The Bears got one back in the top fifth. Junior captain Lucy Condon (Kitchener, Ontario/St. David Catholic) started the inning doubling to left center. After stealing third, Condon sent herself up to score off sophomore catcher Shelby Van Epps' (Ballston Lake, N.Y./Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) single to left field.  

In the top of the seventh, Condon started off with a single through the left side. Miller then came in as a pinch hitter and hit a two-run home run to bring Potsdam within one. One batter later Falsion hit a single, then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. Junior pitcher Megan Fish (Getzville, N.Y./Williamsville North) hit a soft blooper in front of the second baseman to bring in Falsion and tie the game at four.

There was one out in the bottom seventh when Johnson hit the game-winning two-run home run for Carnegie Mellon's 6-4 victory.

Fish pitched 3.0 innings, allowed four unearned runs on five hits and struck out two. Senior captain Alissa McCauley (Malone, N.Y./Franklin Academy) (1-2) received the loss after pitching 3.1 innings, allowing two runs on two hits.

Fish, Condon and Van Epps all went two for three during the game.


The Tartans started game two scoring twice in the first. Gwen Delacruz entered the batter's box with runners on second and third, and brought both in with a single to right field.

The Bears answered back in the bottom half of the first. Falsion kicked things off with a single to first. Two batters later, Donaldson hit a two-run home run down the left field line.

In the top of the third Carnegie Mellon retook the lead with a RBI single down the left field line by Renee Madrigal.

Potsdam put two more on the board to give them a 4-3 lead in the bottom third. With two on, Fish reached base off a fielding error and brought in freshman left fielder Vanessa Brandt (Saugerties, N.Y./Saugerties). Donaldson scored Falsion with a single down the right field line.

Megan Hu gave the Tartans the lead for good with a two RBI single through the left side in the fourth.

Carnegie Mellon scored five more in the sixth and nine in the seventh to finish the game 19-4.

Freshman Sierra Ashley (Lisbon, N.Y./Lisbon) (0-1) received the loss after pitching 3.1 innings, allowing five runs on five hits.

Falsion and Donaldson went 2-for-3 during the game. Donaldson had three RBI while Falsion scored twice.

The Bears are back in action Friday as they finish up the Florida trip with Loras at 9 a.m. and Worcester State at 11:15 a.m.