Binghamton swept by Stony Brook, eliminated from post season contention

Game 1: Stony Brook 3, Binghamton 2 (8 innings)
Game 2: Stony Brook 5, Binghamton 4
Game 3: Stony Brook 4, Binghamton 2
Game 4: Stony Brook 6, Binghamton 4

The Binghamton softball team's quest for a spot in next week's America East Conference Tournament came to a heartbreaking end this past weekend, as the Bearcats (17-22, 7-13 AE) dropped a pair of late-inning heartbreakers to Stony Brook (25-31, 12-10 AE) on Saturday afternoon and were swept again on Sunday. On Saturday, the host Seawolves came from behind twice, pulling out a 3-2, eight-inning win in the first game before winning 5-4 in the bottom of the seventh inning in the nightcap. On Sunday, no late inning heroics were needed as the Seawolves won 4-2 and 6-4.

Binghamton traveled to Stony Brook needing to take three out of four games this weekend to clinch the fourth and final spot in next week's tournament. Instead, this weekend marked the end of the Bearcats' 2003 season.

In the opener on Saturday, the Bearcats were down in the sixth inning when junior catcher Jessica Chellis (Tunkhannock, Pa.) drilled a double into right-center field, scoring sophomore designated hitter Marisa DeStasio (Bethlehem, Pa./ Freedom) on the play. With the score tied 1-1 in the top of the eighth inning, Chellis smacked a solo home run to give Binghamton a 2-1 cushion. The Seawolves, however, were able to plate both the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Unfortunately for the Bearcats, the second game would result in perhaps a more devastating ending. Tied 1-1 heading into the seventh inning. Binghamton appeared to blow the game open with three runs to take a 4-1 advantage into the bottom of the inning. Sophomore second baseman Marybeth Yerdon (Lacona, N.Y./ Sandy Creek) had a RBI single and later scored on an error to put Binghamton up 3-1. When DeStasio followed with a RBI double, it appeared the Bearcats had locked up the game.

Down 4-1, however, Stony Brook came back again, scoring four times in the bottom of the inning to record the sweep.

In the first game on Sunday, senior third baseman Jen Richardson (Wellsville, N.Y.) singled home junior outfielder Jessica Dima (Staten Island, N.Y./ Port Richmond) in the top of the third inning to put Binghamton up 1-0. Stony Brook, however, quickly responded with three runs in the bottom of the third inning to go ahead 3-1. The Seawolves added another run in the fourth inning to go up 4-1.

In the sixth inning, Chellis, who went 2-for-3 in the game hit a one-out double and later scored on a RBI single by freshman shortstop Rose Barre (Watertown, N.Y./ General Brown). Barre also had two hits in the game. That would be as close as the Bearcats would get, however, as Stony Brook held them scoreless the rest of the way.

The Bearcats were down 6-1 in the top of the seventh inning of Sunday's nightcap but refused to go quietly, coming up with three runs. Sophomore pitcher Michelle Weeks (Bunnell, Fla./ Flagler Palm Coast), Dima and Yerdon each singled home a run and with two outs and two on, Binghamton trailed by only 6-4. Stony Brook, however, held on for the win.

Weeks went 2-for-3 in the nightcap and drove in a pair of runs.