Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State softball team earned a pair of wins against Buffalo State in a State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) doubleheader Friday afternoon at Cardinal Park.
The Cardinals improve to 21-11 on the year and 11-5 in the SUNYAC. The Bengals drop to 12-18 overall and 6-10 in league play.
The two wins clinched a berth into the SUNYAC Tournament for Plattsburgh State, but the Cardinals can finish no higher than second as Brockport picked up two wins Friday to secure the top seed in the league.
Game One: Plattsburgh State 2, Buffalo State 0
Plattsburgh State capitalized on two errors by the Bengals in the bottom of the first inning, scoring the only runs the Cardinals would need, while Ashley Marshall had another strong outing to earn the 2-0 victory.
With one out in the Cardinals’ half of the first, Brittany Marshall sent a single to right field before stealing second. Brianna Clarke followed with a single to left field but a throwing error by the Bengals’ left fielder allowed Clarke to advance to third and Marshall to score, giving Plattsburgh State a 1-0 lead. The next batter, Michelle Iannone, reached on a throwing error by the shortstop and Clarke broke for home to score the Cardinals’ second run.
The two pitchers took over from there as Buffalo State’s Maddie Coneys limited the Cardinals to one more hit the rest of the way – a single by Sam Capobianco in the bottom of the second. Coneys suffered the tough-luck loss, allowing three hits and two unearned runs while striking out five.
Plattsburgh State’s Ashley Marshall tossed a three-hit shutout to earn the win, walking two and striking out nine batters. Marshall continues to rewrite the Cardinals’ record book, setting a new record with 63 career complete games.
Game Two: Plattsburgh State 5, Buffalo State 3
The Cardinals rallied twice, taking advantage of four more Buffalo State errors, to earn a 5-3 win in the nightcap against the Bengals.
Buffalo State jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI single by Breanna Fenski. A high throw by Plattsburgh State’s Michelle Iannone allowed Fenski to score later in the inning, giving the Bengals a 2-0 advantage.
Kristine Gay started the rally for the Cardinals in the bottom half of the inning with a double down the left field line before scoring on an RBI double by Brianna Clarke. Later in the inning, a bad throw by the Bengals’ catcher on a steal attempt allowed Clarke to score, tying the game at 2-2.
The Bengals regained the lead in the top of the fourth after Shelly Maggard reached on a fielding error and came out to score on an RBI double by Stephanie Novo.
The Cardinals plated three runs in the bottom of the fifth to take their first lead of the game and secure the 5-3 final. Kerry McCarty began the inning with a double down the left field line and Kristine Gay drew a walk, knocking Buffalo State starter Maddie Coneys out of the game. Sam Tilkins came out of the bullpen for the Bengals and hit her first batter, Brittany Marshall, to load the bases with no outs. Two batters later, Michelle Iannone hit a ball to second, but Novo dropped the ball in an attempt to tag the runner, allowing McCarty and Gay to score and give Plattsburgh State a 4-3 lead.
The Cardinals added one more run in the next at-bat on another fielding error by the Bengals to take a two-run lead into the sixth inning.
Buffalo State threatened in the top of the seventh after two singles and a wild pitch but two runners in scoring position but Lindsay Goff flied out to left field for the final out, giving the Cardinals the sweep.
Sam Moss threw the first four innings for Plattsburgh State, allowing five hits and three runs – one of which was earned. Ashley Marshall pitched three innings of relief, giving up three hits and striking out three to earn the win and improve to 18-4 on the year.
Coneys suffered her second loss of the afternoon, allowing two earned runs on five hits through four innings. Tilkins allowed one run in two innings of work.
McCarty went 2 for 3 with a run scored for Plattsburgh State. Clarke, Gay and Samantha Tenney each chipped in hits while Gay also scored two runs.
Offensively for the Bengals, Novo and Fenski each contributed three hits and an RBI.
The Cardinals return to the action Saturday in their final home games of 2013 against Fredonia State. Plattsburgh State will also honor its senior class after game one of the SUNYAC doubleheader, which is scheduled for noon at Cardinal Park.
