COBLESKILL, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam softball team (5-7) split a Sunday doubleheader at SUNY Cobleskill. The Fighting Tigers took game one in eight innings 15-14, but the Bears shut them down in game two, 6-1.
HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME 1)
- The Bears struck first in the top of the first as sophomore first baseman Sam Horne (Buffalo, N.Y./Kenmore West) drove in freshman center fielder Payton St. Clair (Brewerton, N.Y./Paul V. Moore) with a single.
- The Fighting Tigers answered with five runs in the bottom of the first on three singles, a walk and a wild pitch.
- Cobleskill got two more in the bottom of the second with doubles from first baseman Gabriella Wendelken and center fielder Avery Prievo.
- Potsdam stormed back to take an 8-7 lead with seven runs on seven hits in the top of the third. The big blow came on a three-run homer from St. Clair. Senior shortstop Alexys Rosick (Hudson Falls, N.Y./Hudson Falls) had a two-run triple and junior pitcher Emily Birmingham (Pulaski, N.Y./Pulaski) added an RBI single.
- Junior left fielder Sophia Pleat (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) made it 9-7 in the top of the fourth with a ground out that plated St. Clair.
- The Fighting Tigers closed the gap to 9-8 with an RBI single from second baseman Kylie Rattigan in the bottom of the fifth.
- Freshman designated player Kaidence Cronin (Onondaga Nation/LaFayette) extended the lead back to two in the top of the sixth with a ground out to bring in Horne.
- Cobleskill exploded for five more on five hits in the bottom of the sixth. Catcher Julia Barrieau hit a three-run homer and Rattigan drove in the other two with a double.
- The Bears scored three times in the top of the seventh to force extra innings. Pleat drove in the first with a ground out. Cronin followed with a triple to bring in Horne. Junior third baseman Maddalyn Wasserman (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Ballston Spa) then tied the game as she singled in junior pinch runner Sara Richards (Au Sable Forks, N.Y./AuSable Valley).
- Rosick tripled in sophomore catcher Hannah Fagan (Marcellus, N.Y./Marcellus) for the go ahead run in the top of the eighth.
- Wendelken doubled in two runs in the bottom of the eighth to give the Fighting Tigers the walk-off win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS (GAME 2)
- Birmingham (3-3) allowed 15 runs, 13 earned, on 14 hits and 10 walks, while striking out six.
- Jillian Jenson started for Cobleskill and received a no decision after allowing five runs on seven hits in two innings. Jillian Jensen (3-2) picked up the win after allowing nine runs, six earned, on 12 hits and three walks while striking out two.
- Rosick was 4-for-6 with a run and three RBI. St. Clair was 3-for-4 with three runs and three RBI. Wasserman was 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Pleat, Horne and Fagan were each 2-for-5. Horne had an RBI and two runs. Pleat had two RBI and Fagan scored two runs.
- Rattigan was 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs for Cobleskill. Prievo finished 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBI. Left fielder Avery Prievo went 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBI and right fielder Baylee Yandow rounded out the leaders, going 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI.
- The Bears had 19 hits, the second most in a game in program history.
HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME 2)
- Just as in game one, Horne drove in St. Clair with a single in the top of the first for the game's first run.
- The Bears got two more in the top of the second. Birmingham doubled in Wasserman and Rosick did the same for Birmingham.
- Wasserman homered in the top of the fourth, bringing in Cronin and extending the lead to 5-0.
- The Fighting Tigers got on the board in the bottom of the fourth, scoring on a fielder's choice.
- Horne scored the final run in the top of the fifth, coming in on a double play.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS (GAME 2)
- Horne (1-3) was impressive, allowing just the one run, while scattering seven hits and striking out two for her first win of the season.
- Jaydaci Chamberlain (2-1) was roughed up in 1.2 innings, allowing three runs on five hits. Wendelken allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks in the final 5.1 innings.
- Horne was 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI to help her own cause from the plate. Pleat was also 2-for-4.
- Wasserman had her best game as a Bear, going 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBI. Birmingham was 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Cronin and St. Clair were each 1-for-4 with a run.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Bears head across town to face Clarkson University on Wednesday at 3 p.m.