Boxscore and Play-by-Play

CORTLAND, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State softball team had the chance to avenge Thursday’s loss to Buffalo State in day three of the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) tournament, but the Bengals defeated the Cardinals 4-2 in an elimination game at Dragon Field on the campus of SUNY Cortland.

Sam Strapason drove home all four Buffalo State runs on the afternoon.  Strapason gave the Bengals an early lead after a three-run home run in the top of the first inning and knocked a single up the middle in the third, allowing Kaylee Lekki to score.

The Cardinals staged a rally in the bottom of the seventh, ignited by a solo home run from Brianna Clarke to lead off the inning.  Katie McNally scored on a Dana Mandery’s single that fell into the gap in right center, but that was all the Cardinals would get against Buffalo State’s Aleesha Williams.

Williams allowed two runs on three hits while issuing three walks and striking out four.

Plattsburgh turned to Ashley Marshall, who gave up four runs on five hits.  Marshall walked four and struck out six batters.

Erin Florkiewicz was the only other Cardinal to get a hit off of Williams.

With the win, Buffalo State advanced to the championship game to take on SUNY Cortland, which the Red Dragons rolled to a 12-1 win.

Mandery and Allison Smiddy were named to All-Tournament Team.

The nationally ranked no. 20 Cardinals finish with a 32-8 record and will wait to see if they receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, which will be announced Monday morning.