BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Medaille College softball team lost an absolute heartbreaker in game two of their double header against the Buffalo State Bengals. The Mavericks lost game one 9-3, then lost game two 5-3 in 11 innings.

Game One

The Bengals got things started early in the top of the first inning. Their lead-off batter got on base due to an overthrow. She stole second base, and they had a runner in scoring position. A fly out to Shay Sommer (Grand Island, NY, Grand Island) in left field moved the runner to third, them a ground out to Camryn Adimey (Lakeview, NY, Frontier) at third scored the runner. The Bengals got an early lead 1-0.

They put more runs on the board in the second inning. Their lead-off hitter reached first on another Maverick error. She would be stopped going to second after the next batter attempted a sacrifice bunt, but Adimey got to the ball quick to get the lead runner. The Bengals had one down with one runner on first. Their next batter tripled to right field, and the runner scored from first. The next batter walked, putting runners on first and third. A single to right field scored the runner at third, and put runners on first and second. After a line out to April Chambers (Lockport, NY, Starpoint - Niagara CCC) in center field, the next batter up walked, loading the bases. A hit by pitch bought in the final run of the inning for the Bengals, and they were leading 4-0.

The Mavericks put their first run on the board at the bottom of the inning. Adimey led-off the inning with a double to right center. Sidney Cooper (Elmira, NY, Thomas Edison) hit a single to center, and Adimey wheeled her way around third to score. The Mavs still trailed 4-1.

The Bengals answered back in the third inning. With one out, the second batter walked to get on first. A wild pitch moved her to second, and a ground out moved her to third. A double to the left field fence scored her, and the Bengals added one to their lead.

The Mavericks strung together two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Abbigail Doherty (Clarence, NY, Clarence) got it started getting first on a walk with one out. Sommer was hit by a pitch, moving Doherty to second. On a wild pitch, both Doherty and Sommer advanced. Adimey grounded out to third, but Doherty made her way home, and Sommer to third. She crossed the plate on a wild pitch. The Mavericks were still alive, trailing 5-3.

The Bengals were on a roll in the sixth inning. Another error led-off the inning. The next batter walked, and they had two runners on. A single to center scored the runner from second, and runners were still on first and second. After a pinch runner entered the game, another single was hit, this time to left field, and the bases were loaded. The Bengals entered a pinch hitter and she found her way on with a walk, scoring the runner on third. A blooper single that dropped in front of Chambers scored the runner from third, but she was able to throw the runner out going to second. In a first and third situation, the Mavs chose to try for the out stealing second, but the runner at home came in. This would do it for the game, and the Bengals won 9-3.

Game leaders for the Mavericks were Cooper going 2-3 with one RBI, Adimey going 1-3 with one double, one RBI, and one run scored. Alexis Alguire (Forestville, NY, Forestville) was credited with the loss in the circle. She allowed 10 hits, while striking out five batters.

Game Two

The Mavericks were ready to give everything they had in game two. Both teams finished seven innings with no runs scored. The action started in extra innings. With the international tie-breaker rule, each team put their last out on second base to start the inning. The Bengals laid a sacrifice bunt down to move the runner to third. Their next batter grounded out to Gabrielle Presutti (Williamsville, NY, Williamsville South) at shortstop, but the runner scored from third. The Bengals took the lead, and the Mavericks needed to answer.

Cooper was the last out in the previous inning, so she was placed on second base. Sarah Hapeman (Williamsville, NY, St. Mary's Lancaster) came in to pinch run for her. Audra Marley did her job laying down a sacrifice bunt to move Hapeman to third. Chambers was up next, but hit a grounder to the shortstop. The Bengals decided to throw home to try and get Hapeman, and the throw was there. There were now two outs, with Chambers standing on first. Presutti came up big with a double down the left field line. Chambers sped around the bases, and came in to score the tying run. The Mavs couldn't get Presutti around, so they went into the ninth inning.

Just like the last inning, the Bengals put their runner at second. They decided to forget the small-ball, and swung away. The lead-off hit a single to Marley in left. The runner coming from second thought she had a chance, but Marley gunned it to Doherty behind the plate, and got her. That was one out for the Mavericks. The lead-off hitter made her way to third while the play was happening. Kaitlyn Alguire (Forestville, NY, Forestville) struck out the next batter, and the Mavs had two down. The next batter hit a single to left field, and the runner at third made her way home. The Bengals were in the lead again.

The Mavericks needed another run. Doherty was the baserunner placed on second to start the inning. Sommer laid down a sacrifice bunt and moved Doherty to third. Adimey was up next with one out, and got hit by a pitch. Runners were on first and third with one out. Brenna Fenstermaker (Le Roy, NY, Le Roy) hit a grounder to second. The Bengals chose to go for Adimey at second, and Doherty scored the tying run. The Mavs couldn't get Fenstermaker around, and they went into another inning.

It was the same strategy as the last inning for the Bengals, but they did not end up scoring. The lead-off hit a single to left to move the runner to third. She thought she could stretch her single, but Marley threw her out to Kylie Lyons (Olean, NY, Olean) at second. The runner stayed on third, and there was one out. K. Alguire pitched two ground outs back to her, and all the Mavs needed to do to win was score.
Marley sacrifice bunted to move Cooper to third. Chambers grounded out and Presutti flew out to center field. The game was headed to inning number 11.

The Bengals were ready to end it here. Their lead-off batter hit a double deep to left field, driving the runner at second home. Another double scored the runner. The next batter grounded out, but moved the runner to third. Another ground out followed, but the run scored. The Mavericks had some work to do.

Presutti was placed on second to start. Lyons doubled deep to right center, and Presutti made her way home. That was one. After a battle of an at bat, Doherty struck out swinging. Sommer grounded out to move Lyons to third, but they could not get her home. The Mavericks lost a heartbreaker to the Bengals 3-5.

Game leaders for the Mavericks were Presutti going 2-4 with one double, one RBI, and one run scored, and Lyons with one double and one RBI. K. Alguire was credited with the loss in the circle. She allowed 11 hits while striking out two batters.

The Mavs will continue their AMCC games with a double header against Pitt-Bradford. They will travel on Wednesday, April 6 for a 3:00 p.m. start.