BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State softball team fell to Buffalo State twice on Sunday, as the Bengals came from behind in both contests to win the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) doubleheader. Plattsburgh fell in extras in game one and was unable to hold an early lead in game two against Buffalo State.

Julia Golino (Mount Sinai, N.Y./Mount Sinai) and Michelle DeFina (Commack, N.Y./Commack) each had three hits on the day, while Sara Isaacs (Malta, N.Y./Shenendehowa) had two hits in game one, driving in two runs. Morgan Ormerod (Valatie, N.Y./Ichabod Crane) had a strong start to her outing in game one, registering five scoreless before finishing with a line of 5.2 innings pitched and three runs allowed.

The Cards fall to 6-14 (1-5 SUNYAC) and will next take on VTSU-Castleton in doubleheader action on Wednesday, April 17 on the road at 3 p.m. Buffalo State improves to 11-10 (6-2 SUNYAC) and next plays at Alfred University on Wednesday, April 17.

Game One: Buffalo State 6, Plattsburgh 5 (8 innings)

Despite leading for the vast majority of the game, a late rally from Buffalo State helped the Bengals to an extra-inning win against the Cardinals as they scored five total runs in the sixth and seventh to force extras. A walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth from Katie Pyszczek then won the game for the Buffalo State Bengals.

For Plattsburgh, Isaacs had two hits, an RBI single, and a sacrifice fly, while Gwen Noll (Massapequa, N.Y./St. Anthony's) scored twice, doubled, walked, and stole two bases. Claire Palmer (Suffern, N.Y./Suffern) also doubled, while DeFina singled, scored a run, and walked. Ormerod walked three and struck out four in her 5.2 innings of work while Sarah Milyko (Goshen, N.Y./Chester Academy) took the loss going two innings in relief.

The Cards jumped out to a first-inning lead thanks to a Golino RBI groundout after a double from Palmer started the game. They added a run in the third inning as well, with Isaacs bringing home Noll with sacrifice fly, and then got a huge break in the fourth when a muffed throw allowed two unearned runs to score. The team held the 4-0 lead through five and a half innings, as Ormerod was dealing early in her start.

Buffalo State's offense finally awoke in the sixth inning, with a three-run inning on four hits to pull within one run, forcing Ormerod out and Milyko into the game. Milyko escaped the jam with the tying run on third base with two outs, forcing Sarah Congelosi to groundout to end the frame.

In the seventh, Noll led off the inning with a double to right-center field, allowing Isaacs to single her home and give Plattsburgh a huge insurance run.

However, in the bottom of the frame, with the tying run on third and two outs, Mya Hurley hit a clutch double to left center, tying the game and forcing extra innings.

After the Cards went down in order in the eighth inning, back-to-back singles for Buffalo State began their half of the inning, and a sacrifice bunt put the game-winning run on third base. After a walk, Pyszczek lifted a fly ball to left, scoring the game-winning run and giving the Bengals the win.

Izzy Pezdek earned the win going all eight innings, giving up three earned runs and striking out six, while Caitlyn Parsons was 3-4 with a double, as was Grace Albano who also drove in two runs.

Game Two: Buffalo State 8, Plattsburgh 2

In game two, Plattsburgh jumped out to another first-inning lead and led as far as the bottom of the third inning, but three runs in the third and four in the fourth from Buffalo State helped give them an 8-2 victory over the Cardinals.

Golino had three hits, driving in one run and doubling to finish 3-4 on the afternoon. DeFina had two hits and an RBI for Plattsburgh while Palmer had a base hit, a walk, and a stolen base. Carly Gemmett (Colonie, N.Y./Colonie Central) was tagged with the loss, going 3.1 innings while giving up seven runs. Milyko tossed 1.1 innings in relief, allowing one run, while Ormerod came back on in relief in game two, retiring all four batters she faced.

The early lead for Plattsburgh came as the result of a two-out HBP to Isaacs, as Golino followed with an RBI double to right center to give her team the lead. After a Madison Lucas double tied it in the second, DeFina brought home Emma Deo (Averill Park, N.Y./Averill Park) in the third with an RBI single to right center to give Plattsburgh a 2-1 lead

In the following half-inning, however, Buffalo State took the lead for good, as a bases-loaded double from Kaitlyn Schnitzer brought in all three base runners. The Bengals added on in the fourth, as they collected four runs on six hits to build a six-run cushion and the 8-2 lead.

Plattsburgh State was able to load the bases in the sixth with no one out but a line out, double play stymied the rally for the Cards.

In the seventh, the Cardinals went down in order, giving Buffalo State the doubleheader sweep.

Lucas picked up the win in the circle, going five innings, allowing seven hits, two runs, and striking out five. Parsons was 4-4 with two runs and Pyszczek was 3-3 with two runs and an RBI for the Bengals.