SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State softball team clinched the sixth seed in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Tournament despite dropping a doubleheader to Cortland, falling 8-0 and 6-1 on Saturday evening.

Megan Pillus (Poughkeepsie, N.Y. / Spackenkill) and Bella Toleman (Stillwater, N.Y. / Stillwater) each had two hits across the doubleheader, while Sara Isaacs (Malta, N.Y. / Shenendehowa) scored the only run for Plattsburgh. Leila Toomey (Commack, N.Y. / Commack), Emma Deo (Averill Park, N.Y. / Averill Park), and Michelle DeFina (Commack, N.Y. / Commack) all recorded a hit, while Toomey also had a stolen base.

The Cardinals move to 10-25 (7-11 SUNYAC) and will be in action on Thursday, May 8 at 10 a.m. in Day 1 of the SUNYAC Tournament, but still await their opponent as the New Paltz-Buffalo State doubleheader tomorrow, May 3, will determine the number three seed. Cortland moves to 20-14 (16-2 SUNYAC) and will be in action on Thursday, May 8, in Day 1 of the SUNYAC Tournament as well, and will find out their seeding and opponent tomorrow, May 3, as the New Paltz-Buffalo State doubleheader will determine the top three seeds.

Game One: Cortland 8, Plattsburgh 0 (6 innings)

Cortland used excellent pitching from McKenna Barry and a three-run sixth inning to pick up a run-rule win over the Cardinals.

Pillus and Deo both finished the day 1-2, recording the only hits for Plattsburgh in game one. First-year Meghan Stork (Massapequa, N.Y. / Massapequa) reached base two times, and Toomey had a stolen base on the day. Junior Carly Gemmett (Colonie, N.Y./ Colonie Central) had the start in the circle, going 5.2 innings, striking out four batters, taking the loss for Plattsburgh.

For the Red Dragons, Laila Smith was 2-4 with two runs scored, a triple, and three RBI, while Lainie Ornstein was 2-3 with two runs scored, a double, and an RBI. Barry went six innings, giving up two hits and two walks, while striking out six in the win for Cortland.

Cortland got on the board early, scoring a run in the first on a sacrifice fly, and added three more in the second. After retiring the first two batters, a single and a walk had a runner in scoring position for the Red Dragons. A 2 RBI triple from Smith scored both runners, and she came around to score on an error by the center fielder, giving Cortland the early 4-0 lead.

The next inning saw both pitchers retire the side, followed by the Cardinals' first hit of the game in the fourth inning. In the bottom half of the inning, Gemmett had a 1-2-3 inning yet again as the Cardinals threatened to score in the fifth.

After a single from Deo, Toomey came in as a pinch runner and stole second, moving herself into scoring position. However, the Cardinals only had one out to work with, and the next batter was retired on a groundout, ending the inning.

An error to start the inning allowed Cortland to add another run, however, Gemmett retired the next three batters, limiting the Red Dragons to one run as Cortland pushed their lead to 5-0.

A walk from Stork in the top of the sixth put a runner on for Plattsburgh, but the Cortland defense turned an inning-ending double play to get out of the inning. Cortland used that momentum and responded with three base hits to tack on three more runs in the bottom half of the inning, earning an 8-0 run-rule win.

Game Two: Cortland 6, Plattsburgh 1

After both teams scored a run in the first, Cortland used back-to-back two-run innings to propel them to a 6-1 win over Plattsburgh.

Toleman was 2-3, and DeFina, Pillus, and Toomey all went 1-3, while Isaacs scored the only run for Plattsburgh. Junior Morgan Ormerod (Valatie, N.Y. / Ichabod Crane) pitched a strong 3.2 innings of relief, allowing one run with one strikeout.

For the Red Dragons, Maggie Cummings and Shelby LaMont both went 2-3 while Cummings had a stolen base, a double, and scored two runs, and LaMont had a double with two RBI. Kaeli McAnally was also 2-3 with a run scored. Gianna Endieveri pitched all seven innings, striking out eight batters in the win for Cortland.

The Cardinals struck first in game two, thanks to two errors by the Cortland defense. After Issacs reached first on an error, a single from Pillus and another Cortland error allowed Issacs to come around and score. Cortland responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning and tied the game at one. After two straight batters reached base, a single from Barry plated the tying run.

Cortland tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the second after a wild pitch scored a run, followed by an RBI groundout from Halle Wright that gave the Red Dragons a 3-1 lead.

After three straight Cortland hits plated two more runs, Plattsburgh went to Ormerod in relief. Ormerod retired the next batter before working around a walk and then inducing a groundout to end the inning with Cortland leading 5-1.

The Cardinals had an opportunity to cut into the Red Dragons' lead in the top of the fourth after a leadoff single from Toleman. After the leadoff hit, the Cortland pitcher retired the next two batters before a DeFina single moved Toleman into scoring position. Unfortunately, the Cardinals weren't able to capitalize as the next batter was retired via the strikeout.

After two straight groundouts and a walk, Ormerod struck out the next batter to end the fourth, but Cortland added another run in the fifth. Cummings doubled down the left field line to start the inning, and LaMont singled up the middle to bring her home, extending the Red Dragons' lead to 6-1.

Ormerod and Endieveri traded 1-2-3 innings in the sixth, and Endieveri retired the side in the seventh, securing the Cortland 6-1 win.