CLERMONT, FLA.—The SUNY Potsdam softball team (5-7) finished its week in Florida with another split. The Bears nearly rallied against Arcadia University (6-1), but fell 7-6. Potsdam then exploded for an eight-run first inning en route to an 8-5 win over Millsaps College (8-8) in the finale.

Potsdam grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first against the Knights. Junior shortstop Jordan Ott (Hilton, N.Y./Hilton) led off the game with a double and was singled in by sophomore designated hitter Lauren Brace (Moriah, N.Y./Moriah). In the bottom of the inning, sophomore pitcher Sami Hubinsky (South Glens Falls, N.Y./SUNY Adirondack) worked around a two on, nobody out jam to preserve the lead.

Arcadia made the most of a two out Bears' error in the bottom of the second, tying the game. Knights shortstop Sara Boyadjis followed with an RBI single to give Arcadia the lead for good. The pitchers controlled the contest for the next inning and a half, but the Knights broke the game open with a five-run bottom of the fourth. Arcadia loaded the bases with a lead off double and back-to-back walks. The Knights scored on a passed ball, a two-run single, an RBI single and a sacrifice fly.

Potsdam got a run back in the top of the fifth. Freshman centerfielder Brooke Falsion (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport) hit a one out double down the left field line and moved third on a throwing error. Senior left fielder Carina Chirinko (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) brought her in with a suicide squeeze to close the gap to 7-2. The Bears then loaded the bases as Hubinsky reached on a fielder's choice and senior captain Katie Marsman (Wantagh, N.Y./Wyoming Seminary) walked. However, Arcadia reliever Erin Wilson escaped further damage with a strikeout to retire the side.

The Bears rallied in the top of the seventh. Ott singled to left, Chirinko singled to right and Hubinsky lined an RBI single to center to make it 7-3. With one out, Brace doubled to right field, scoring Hubinsky and junior pinch runner Kolbi Lyon (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Plattsburgh) to get Potsdam within two. With two outs, sophomore right fielder Lyndale Nephew (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Seton Catholic) reached on a fielder's choice and junior pinch runner Noelle Rufa (Helena, N.Y./St. Lawrence Central) scored to make it 7-6. Falsion followed with an infield single to load the bases, but Wilson recorded to the final strikeout to end the threat and the game.

Brace was 2-for-4 with three RBIs, while Ott and Falsion also went 2-for-4. Chirinko was 2-for-2 with an RBI and Hubinsky was 1-for-2 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored.

Hubinsky was tagged with the loss despite allowing just one earned run on four hits and two walks in three innings. Freshman Alissa McCauley (Malone, N.Y./Franklin Academy) pitched the final three innings, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk. Sara Gunia earned the win for Arcadia after allowing a run on two hits and two walks in 4 innings. Wilson struggled in the last three innings, giving up five runs on eight hits despite fanning five.

The Majors took advantage of a Potsdam error to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first in the second contest. The advantage was short lived. The Bears answered with eight runs in the bottom of the first. Ott began the carnage with a leadoff triple. Chirinko knocked her in to tie the score. Three batters later, Brace doubled in Chirinko. Senior third baseman Samantha Cohn (Monticello, N.Y./Monticello) drove in Hubinsky two batters after that. With the bases loaded, Falsion singled up the middle to make it 4-1. In her second at bat of the inning, Ott singled to drive in Cohn and Nephew. As the centerfielder misplayed the ball, Falsion came all the away around from first to make it 7-1. Hubinsky then finished the scoring with an RBI single that plated Ott.

Millsaps got two back in the top of the third. After an error and a double, Majors catcher Sarah Scales drove in both runners with a single to left. Millsaps added the final two runs of the contest in the top of the fifth. Another error and a single put two aboard for Majors pitcher Cassidy DeNoon. DeNoon singled to left to close the gap to 8-5. McCauley then slammed the door by allowing just a walk in the final two innings.

Chirinko went 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI and Ott was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs. Falsion and Hubinsky each went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI.

Sophomore pitcher Meghan Dougherty got the no decision after allowing three unearned runs on four hits and two walks in 1.2 innings. Chirinko earned her first win of the season in middle relief. She allowed one earned run on four hits and two walks, while striking out three in 2.2. McCauley pitched 2.2 no-hit and shutout innings to close the game. She struck out two.

The Bears are now off until they head to Canton to face St. Lawrence University on March 31 in a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.