Clermont, Fla. - The Plattsburgh State Softball Team ( dropped two close games on Tuesday, falling to the University of Southern Maine (2-3) 5-2 and Bethel University (7-2) 3-0 in six innings, as the game was called due to weather. 

Julia Golino (Mount Sinai, NY/Mt. Sinai) had a hit in each game to lead the offensive effort while Kristina Maggiacomo (South Setauket, NY/Ward Mellville) and Mikayla Manolo (Holtsville, NY/ Sachem East) each threw complete games and had strong starts for the Cardinals in both games. 

Game One: University of Southern Maine 5, Plattsburgh State 2

A five-run top of the fifth inning was all the Southern Maine Huskies would need to defeat the Cardinals on Tuesday afternoon, as the Huskies starter held Plattsburgh to just two hits in two innings of work. Golino and Dolly Garguilo (Monroe, NY/Washingtonville) had the only hits for the Cardinals on the day.

Plattsburgh State got the first run of the game without the benefit of a hit in the bottom of the third, as a Manolo drew a lead off walk. After back-to-back fielder's choices, Kristen Langdon (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) reach on a throwing error by the second baseman, which allowed the Cardinal runner to score from second, giving the team a 1-0 lead.

After 1-2-3 innings from both pitchers in the fourth, Plattsburgh ran into trouble in the fifth as the Huskies collected five runs on five hits and two costly errors by the Cards' defense.

The Cardinals tacked on one more run in the bottom of the sixth, as Claire Palmer (Suffern, NY/Suffern) reached on an error and advanced to second on a groundout from Langdon. Golino followed with the second hit of the day for Plattsburgh, as the junior doubled to center field, scoring Palmer. That was the final run of the game, however, as Southern Maine stymied a late rally in the bottom of the seventh, as the Huskies' started induced a game-ending groundout with the tying run at the plate. 

Maggiacomo had a solid outing for the Cards on the mound, as tossed her second complete game of the season with seven innings of work. She allowed just three earned runs and one walk, while striking out six batters. 

Game Two: Bethel University 3, Plattsburgh State 0

The Cardinals lost a pitcher's duel in game two of they day as Kayla Simacek and Manalo each had strong efforts for their respective teams. Manalo threw six strong innings, giving up three runs (one earned) striking out one and not allowing any walks. Defensive errors proved costly for Plattsburgh, however, as four miscues led to two unearned runs for Bethel.

The Cards' offense was able to combine for five hits but could not cash in on the baserunners, leaving all five runners on base. The team almost took a 1-0 lead in the third, as a Golino single nearly scored Palmer from second, but the left fielder gunned down Palmer at the plate to keep the game scoreless. 

The Royals scored one run in the fourth, as a runner stole second and came around to score on an error on the throw. Two runs scored in the sixth as a fielding error scored a run, and a suicide squeeze gave the Royals their third run of the game. 

Palmer, Langdon, Golina, Sam Gentile (Highland, NY/Our Lady of Lourdes), and Alex McKearin (Valatie, NY/Ichabod Crane) each had base hits for Plattsburgh State in the loss.

The team is back in action on Thursday, March 17 when they take on Mount Saint Mary College at 1:30 p.m. in Clermont.