CLERMONT, FLA.—The SUNY Potsdam softball team (0-2) fell to Wentworth Institute of Technology (2-1) 13-5 and Concordia University Chicago (2-3) 15-1 on Monday afternoon.
In the opener, the Leopards struck for seven runs in the top of the first on five hits and four walks. Wentworth catcher Briana Beverly capped the inning with a two-run single to right. Potsdam countered with four runs in the bottom of the first. Senior second baseman
Vanessa Brandt (Saugerties, N.Y./Saugerties) led off with a single and scored on a fielder's choice. After adding a run in the second, the Leopards tacked on three more in the third for an 11-4 advantage. Brandt doubled and scored on an error in the fourth and Wentworth added two more in the top of the seventh on a two-run triple from left fielder Kaitlin Pettenger.
Senior pitcher
Sierra Ashley (Ogdensburg, N.Y./Lisbon) (0-1) started for the Bears and allowed 11 runs on seven hits, while striking out two in three innings. Sophomore
Anna Brown (Ellenburg Depot, N.Y./Northern Adirondack) pitched the last four innings, allowing two runs on two hits.
Brandt led the Bears offensively, going 2-for-4 with two runs. Freshman shortstop
Kaylee Dobransky (New Britain, Conn./CREC Academy of Science and Innovation) was 1-for-3 with a run and junior third baseman
Madison McCormick (Ogdensburg, N.Y./Heuvelton) was 1-for-3. Sophomore pinch runner
Samantha Harrison (Willsboro, N.Y./Willsboro) and senior catcher
Hailey LaGiudice (Mount Sinai, N.Y./Mount Sinai) also each recorded a run for Potsdam.
Kayla DeMedeiros (1-0) picked up the win for Wentworth, allowing five runs, two earned, on three hits. Erin Hancock earned the save with three scoreless innings of one-hit ball.
Beverly finished 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs and Pettenger was 2-for-3 with four RBI and a run to lead the Leopards.
The Cougars had their offense rolling from the outset in the second game. They scored three in the first, four in the second, three in the third and five in the fourth to build a 15-0 lead. McCormick knocked in junior centerfielder
Emily Beck (Lowville, N.Y./Beaver River) with a ground out in the top of the fifth for Potsdam's lone run. Designated player Jessica Geng led Concordia's charge, going 3-for-4 with four RBI and two runs. Right fielder Ashley Shroll was 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored. Second baseman Teagan Oas went 2-for-3 with two RBI and four runs. Shortstop Carole Ross was 1-for-4 with two RBI and a run.
Pitcher Kallie Tierney went all five innings with to post a three-hit, four-strikeout shutout.
Junior first baseman
Anna Grottola (Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Connetquot), Dobransky and freshman
Giavanna Marco (Mastic Beach, N.Y./William Floyd) each had a hit for Potsdam. Brown (0-1) allowed seven runs, six earned, on six hits and two walks in two innings. Ashley pitched the last two innings, allowing eight earned runs on nine hits and two walks.
Potsdam has two contests tomorrow. The Bears face Alfred University at 3 p.m. and Johnson & Wales University (R.I.) at 5:15 p.m.
