CLERMONT, Fla. – The Plattsburgh State softball team wrapped up its Florida trip at The Spring Games on a strong note, splitting its final-day doubleheader after coming off a split the day prior.
The Cardinals opened the day against Plymouth State, a program they had only faced once before in 2013. Plymouth State jumped out to an early lead with a sacrifice fly in the first inning and added two more runs in the third to take a 3-0 advantage.
After the Panthers extended their lead to 4-0 in the fourth on a solo home run, Plattsburgh responded in the bottom half. Sara Isaacs (Malta, N.Y./Shenendehowa) got the Cardinals on the board with a two-run home run to left field, scoring Gwen Noll (Massapequa, N.Y./St. Anthony's) and cutting the deficit to 4-2.
Plymouth State continued to build its lead with two runs in the fifth, another in the sixth, and one more in the seventh to make it 8-2 heading into the final inning. The Cardinals showed fight in their last at-bat, as Jordin Radley (Chatham, N.Y./Chatham Central) delivered an RBI single and Jaylyn Linderman (Lockport, N.Y./Starpoint) followed with an RBI double, driving in Leila Toomey (Commack, N.Y./Commack), but the comeback fell short in an 8-4 loss. Bella DeLorenzo (Troy, N.Y./Tamarac) also crossed the plate during the late rally.
Plattsburgh bounced back in game two against Keene State, a team it defeated 3-2 at last year's Spring Games. The Cardinals broke the game open with a four-run third inning, highlighted by an RBI single from Meghan Stork (Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa), who later scored on a wild pitch. Sara Isaacs (Malta, N.Y./Shenendehowa) added an RBI single, and Megan Pillus (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Spackenkill) capped the inning with an RBI groundout to give Plattsburgh a 4-0 lead. Gwen Noll (Massapequa, N.Y./St. Anthony's) and Jaylyn Linderman (Lockport, N.Y./Starpoint) each scored in the inning.
Keene State got one run back in the bottom of the third on a sacrifice fly, but the Cardinals maintained control throughout. Plattsburgh added insurance in the sixth inning, beginning with an RBI single from Allison Isaacs (Malta, N.Y./Shenendehowa), scoring Jordin Radley (Chatham, N.Y./Chatham Central). Later in the frame, Sara Isaacs (Malta, N.Y./Shenendehowa) delivered again with a two-run single, bringing home Meghan Stork (Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa) and Jaylyn Linderman (Lockport, N.Y./Starpoint).
The Owls mounted a late push in the seventh with a two-run double, but Plattsburgh held on to secure a 7-3 victory and earn the split.
With the split, the Cardinals move to 5-6 overall and finish The Spring Games with a 5-4 record. Plattsburgh returns to New York next weekend for a road doubleheader against Skidmore on Saturday, March 28.