SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Returning to New York after their spring trip to Florida, the Plattsburgh State softball team split a doubleheader with the Skidmore Thoroughbreds on Saturday afternoon in Saratoga Springs, New York. Julia Golino (Mount Sinai, N.Y./Mount Sinai) led the way in game one, earning the win on the mound while also picking up two hits and one RBI.

Golino earned her first win of the season giving up just three earned runs in game one and totaled three hits on the day. Sarah Milyko (Goshen, N.Y./Chester Academy) picked up the save in game one, while Emma Deo (Averill Park, N.Y./Averill Park) drove in two runs on the day. Morgan Ormerod (Valatie, N.Y./Ichabod Crane) took the game-two loss, just her second of the season as she gave up four earned runs.

The Cards move to 3-7 on the season and will host SUNY Canton for their home opener on Tuesday, April 2 at 3 p.m. The Thoroughbreds move to 3-11 and travel to SUNY Delhi on Tuesday, April 2.

Game One: Plattsburgh 5, Skidmore 4

The Cardinals took the first game of the day thanks to a five-run fourth that gave Golino all the run support she would need. Despite just three hits in the frame, the Cardinals took advantage of shoddy defense to get as many runs as possible across the plate.

Golino finished the day going 6.1 innings, striking out six batters, giving up eight hits, no walks, and allowing three earned runs, paving the way for Milyko who retired both batters she faced for the save. Mikayla Manalo (Holtsville, N.Y./Sachem East) reached base twice with a single and walk and drove in a run, while Gwen Noll (Massapequa, N.Y./St. Anthony's) and Dolly Garguilo (Monroe, N.Y./Washingtonville) each picked up a hit, an RBI, and a run for Plattsburgh.

After Skidmore took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third, Plattsburgh responded with a five-run fourth, as they would hold that lead the rest of the way. The inning began with Milyko singling and a runner then reached on a fielder's choice and the next batter walked, loading the bases with no outs. Garguilo singled her way on in the next at-bat, bringing home Milyko, as another run scored on a throwing error. With a 2-1 lead now, the Cards added another run when Noll singled home a Cardinal, and Manalo followed with an RBI fielder's choice, putting Plattsburgh up 4-1. The final run came home in the next play, as Golino lifted a sacrifice fly to left to score Noll.

Up four runs, Golino cruised through the next two frames, as Plattsburgh took a 5-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth. Skidmore finally put some pressure on the Cardinals in that inning, scoring a run before Golino ended the Thoroughbred rally.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Skidmore offense finally came through against Golino, with an error putting the leadoff runner on and double bringing that runner home. After an RBI single followed, Milyko entered for Plattsburgh. After a wild pitch put the tying run in scoring position, the junior arm retired the next two batters, picking up her first career save and giving Plattsburgh the 5-4 win.

Hailey Clarke took her fifth loss of the season, throwing a complete game, while Rachel Monser had two hits and an RBI for Skidmore.

Game Two: Skidmore 10, Plattsburgh 3

After the Cardinals pitchers held the Thoroughbred bats at bay for most of game one, Skidmore responded by scoring runs in each inning in game two, winning 10-3 over Plattsburgh State. The scoring for the home team was highlighted by a four-run fourth, which was in response to Plattsburgh pulling within one run, helping the Thoroughbreds to pull away for the game-two win.

Deo drove in two runs in the fourth inning for Plattsburgh, while Alyssa Hemingway (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Plattsburgh) had two hits for the Cards. Manalo doubled for the Cards as well, bringing home a run, while Golino reached twice with a single and a walk, extending her hit streak, which dates back to last season, to 17 games.

Skidmore wasted no time getting the bats going, scoring a run in the first, two in the second, and three in the third to jump to an early 4-0 lead.

In the fourth, the Cards got all three of their runs for the game, with Deo batting with the bases loaded and driving in two runs with a single to center. After a flyout, Manalo doubled home a run, putting Plattsburgh right back in the game, trailing 4-3.

The Thoroughbreds had a response for the Cards, scoring four runs on six hits in the bottom of the fourth, helping to seal the win for themselves. Runs in the fifth and sixth gave the team insurance, as they took home the 10-3 win.

Natalie Mayne earned the win for Skidmore, tossing 3.1 scoreless innings while Franchesca Casillas had two doubles and drove in two runs and Bernie Berner was 3-3 with two runs scored and three RBI.