The softball team won their first game of the Empire 8 conference tournament, a 13-inning marathon against fourth-seeded Stevens Institute of Technology, by a tight score of 4–3. But the third-seeded St. John Fisher Cardinals shut out the Bombers in game 4 of the tournament 2–0.
An RBI single to center field from senior second baseman Kait Dolan brought in sophomore outfielder Adrienne Walters for the winning run to end the longest game in Empire 8 conference tournament history.
The Blue and Gold took the lead in the second and fourth innings, only for Stevens to tie the game both times. Sophomore outfield Jen Biondi had an RBI single as part of a three hit inning. Biondi had a team high five hits in the game.
The South Hill squad had plenty of opportunities to win the game in the extra frames, as pinch runner Sam Bender was thrown out at the plate in the bottom of the 10th and Lillie popped up for the third out in the 11th with the winning run at third. Stevens, making their first appearance in the Empire 8 conference tournament, took the lead in the 12th on an RBI double from freshman outfielder Noreen Jordan that brought home junior third baseman Victoria Webber. The Bombers answered in the bottom half with an infield hit off the bat of sophomore catcher Lindsey Johnson that scored senior designated player Kerry Barger.
The Bombers outhit the Ducks 16–9, but left as many runners on base.
Freshman pitcher Jillian Olmstead got the win after throwing the final eight innings in relief of senior starting pitcher Allison Greaney. She had four strikeouts and walked none.
The Bomber bats were silenced against St. John Fisher, with Cardinals sophomore pitcher Sarah Stefanon surrendering just four hits while in the circle for all seven innings.
Bombers senior pitcher and outfielder Britt Lillie kept the game scoreless until the fourth inning when she deflected a ground out from sophomore catcher Leanne Merchant and was forced to go to first for the out.
Sophomore first baseman Carianne D’Alessandro had half of the Bombers’ hits in the game.
The Bombers will face Rochester Institute of Technology in an elimination game at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Kostrinsky Field.
