PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam softball team (1-3, 0-2 SUNYAC) built early leads in both games at Plattsburgh State (2-0, 2-0 SUNYAC) on Tuesday afternoon before falling 12-8 and 9-8. Junior shortstop Vanessa Brandt (Saugerties, N.Y./Saugerties) had a big day at the plate, going 4-for-6 with three runs scored. Sophomore centerfielder Anna Grottola (Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Connetquot) was 4-for-8 with two runs and two RBI.
 
In game one, Potsdam jumped out to a 5-0 lead with three runs in the top of the first and two in the top of the second. Brandt got things going with a single to right and a stolen base. Two ground outs, the second coming off the bat of junior third baseman Abby Vaughn (Apalachin, N.Y./Owego Free Academy), brought Brandt around to score the first run. Senior left fielder Megan Fish (Getzville, N.Y./Williamsville North) then singled and later scored on a bases loaded walk. Junior catcher Hailey LaGiudice (Mt. Sinai, N.Y./Mt. Sinai) followed with single and scored in the same manner.
 
After freshman pitcher Anna Brown (Ellenburg Depot, N.Y./Northern Adirondack) threw a scoreless bottom of the first and the Bears' offense went back to work. Brandt doubled to lead off the top of the second and scored on a Vaughn single. LaGiudice made it 5-0 after driving in Vaughn on a sacrifice fly.
 
The Cardinal bats woke up in the bottom of the third inning, scoring four runs on five hits. They then jumped in front 6-5 with two runs on four hits in the bottom of the fourth. Potsdam regained the lead with three runs in the top of the fifth. After a leadoff walk, Brown scored to tie the game on a error. Senior right fielder Abby Hodgdon (Hammond, N.Y./Hammond) scored on a fielder's choice with two outs to make it 7-6. Brandt then came home on a wild pitch to make it a two-run lead.
 
The Cardinals seized control with six runs in the bottom of the sixth. Three of Plattsburgh's six hits were for extra bases including a two-run homer from shortstop Alexandra Clifford and an RBI triple from right fielder Alexa Murray.
 
Brown received a no-decision in her collegiate pitching debut. She allowed six runs, five earned, on seven hits and three walks in three innings, while striking out three. Fish (0-2) allowed six earned runs on eight hits in the last three innings.
 
Julia Golino started for the Cardinals, allowing eight runs, three earned, on six hits and seven walks over the first five innings. Kristina Maggiacomo (1-0) picked up the win in relief, scattering two hits, striking out two and shutting out the Bears over the last two innings.
 
Offensively for Potsdam, Brandt led the way with two hits, two walks and three runs scored. Clifford knocked in four runs and scored one with two hits for Plattsburgh.
 
 
Game two started nearly identically, with three Bears runs in the first and two more in the second. Senior second baseman Morgan Brown (Duvall, Wash./Cedarcrest) drove in LaGiudice, Vaughn and Grottola with a double to left center. In the top of the second, Grottola singled to center to plate Brandt. Vaughn then drove in Grottola with another single to center to make it 5-0.
 
The Cardinals cut the lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the second on a two run single from third baseman Kaitlin Smith. They got even in the third as designated player Julia Golino drove in two with a double to left. Second baseman Bella Spadinger made it 5-5 with a single to right in the very next at-bat.
 
The Bears regained the lead with two more runs in the top of the fourth. Grottola singled to center to score senior designated player Sydney Miller (Hoosick Falls, N.Y./Hoosick Falls). Brandt then scored on a ground out to make it 7-5. Again Plattsburgh countered to tie the game. Centerfielder Kristen Langdon made it 7-6 with an RBI triple and catcher Rebecca Diller got the Cardinals even with a single to score Langdon.
 
Potsdam grabbed its final lead in the top of the fifth as Miller drove in Morgan Brown with a single to right field. Plattsburgh tied the game again on a Clifford double and then first baseman Kelsey Waite singled home Clifford to walk off with the darkness-shortened victory in the bottom of the fifth.
 
Bears sophomore pitcher Makiah Ramsdell (Winthrop, N.Y./St. Lawrence Central) allowed five runs, three earned, on five hits and three walks to receive a no-decision. Anna Brown (0-1) was tagged with the loss after allowing four runs on four hits in an inning and a third. Maggiacomo (2-0) went the full five innings to pick up her second win of the day. She allowed eight runs, five earned, on 11 hits, while striking out six.
 
Grottola was 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBI to lead Potsdam. Morgan Brown as 2-for-3 with a run and three RBI. Miller was 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI and Brandt was 2-for-3. Vaughn was 1-for-3 with a run and two RBI. Spadinger was 2-for-2 with two runs and RBI for Plattsburgh.
 
Fish had two hits on the day, leaving her one shy of becoming the ninth player in program history to reach 100 hits.
 
The Bears are back in action on Sunday when they travel to Oneonta State for a twin bill with the Red Dragons. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.