April 6, 2011
Box Score
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - Shannon Jones homered twice and Courtney Brinkman struck out nine in the nightcap as Siena Softball earned a split in its 2011 home opener against Binghamton. The Bearcats took the first game 6-2, while Siena withstood a furious Binghamton rally late to capture Game Two 8-7.
Siena (11-16) struck first in the opener, scoring a run in the bottom of the first inning on a Jones sac fly. But Binghamton (12-9) responded with five unanswered runs to earn the win.
The big blow came in the top of the third when the Bearcats pushed three runs across the plate, highlighted by a two-run single by Jessica Phillips. Phillips, who entered the game batting .500 on the season, went a combined 5-for-6 in the doubleheader with three runs scored and three RBI.
In the nightcap, the Saints again jumped out early, plating a run in the first on a Jones RBI double. Jones had another huge day at the plate, driving in five runs.
After Binghamton tied things up in the top of the third, the Saints responded with four runs in the bottom of the frame. With one out and the bases loaded, Mandy Ferro hit a routine grounder to short. Bearcats shortstop Jessica Bump tried to cut down the lead runner at the plate but her throw was errant as two runs came across. Kayla Kaminsky followed with a two-run single, pushing Siena's lead to 5-1.
The Saints added three in the fifth, capped by a two-run homer by Jones to take a commanding 8-1 lead. But with the game seemingly in hand, Binghamton made one final rally that nearly proved to be enough.
Down to their final four outs and with two down in the sixth, the Bearcats got to the tiring Brinkman who served up a grand slam to Stephanie DeLuca to make it 8-5. Binghamton added another run later in the frame to pull within just two.
In the seventh, Phillips homered for the Bearcats to pull Binghamton to as close as 8-7. But with one out and the potential tying run on second, Ferro came out of the pen to induce a strikeout and a groundout to pick up the save as Siena held on.
The Saints continue their season opening six-game homestand with a pair of key MAAC series this weekend. Siena hosts Fairfield for a pair on Saturday beginning Saturday at 1 p.m. before closing out the weekend with a doubleheader Sunday versus Rider.
