OSWEGO, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam softball team (14-20, 5-13 SUNYAC) wrapped up conference play with a split at Oswego State (10-22, 5-13). The Bears fell 2-0 in game one, before taking the finale 3-2. The win was its 14th of the season, setting Potsdam's single-season record. It was also the Bears' fifth SUNYAC victory, matching the program's single-season mark.
Game one was an old-fashioned pitcher's duel. Bears junior
Lexie Cottrill (Skaneateles, N.Y./Skaneateles) (6-10) and Lakers hurler Fiona Higgins (9-11) rolled through the first five innings with minimal danger. Oswego broke through in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI single from pitch hitter Jenna Mills to make it 1-0. The Lakers got an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth as Higgins doubled to help her own cause.
Cottrill finished with one earned run on five hits and two strikeouts in the six innings. Graduate student
Anna Grottola (Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Connetquot) was 2-for-3, giving her 116 for her career. Cottrill had Potsdam's other hit, finishing 1-for-3.
Higgins allowed three hits and struck out six for the complete game shutout. Third baseman Lily Fanea was 2-for-3 with a run.
Potsdam struck first in the finale. Senior third baseman
Rebecca Holmes (Lawtons, N.Y./North Collins drove in freshman right fielder
Sophia Pleat (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) with a single in the top of the second. The Bears extended the lead in the top of the third as junior shortstop
Kaylee LaForest (Cohoes, N.Y./Cohoes) and graduate student left fielder
Emily Beck (Lowville, N.Y./Beaver River) each scored on an error to make it 3-0. The Lakers answered in the bottom of the third on a two-run double from Higgins.
Graduate student pitcher
Sierra Ashley (Ogdensburg, N.Y./Lisbon) allowed a single hit in the next three innings before shutting Oswego down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the seventh.
Ashley (5-4) allowed the two runs on six hits and struck out a career-high seven batters. Grottola was 2-or-3 again, as were Holmes and Pleat.
Lakers pitcher Chelsea Sellars (1-11) allowed three runs, one earned, on 10 hits, while striking out two. Centerfielder Kira Wright was 2-for-3 and first baseman Kylie Detz was 2-for-2.
With her four hits today, Grottola moves in sole possession of third place on the program's all-time list with 118.
The Bears close out the season at home on Monday with a doubleheader against SUNY Poly. The contests will start at 3 p.m.