(Pittsburgh, Pa.)- The SUNY Canton softball team dropped a heartbreaking but thrilling 3-2 decision in 10 innings to Point Park University in Pittsburgh Sunday afternoon.

The Roos held a slim 2-1 late in the game before the Pioneers tied the score with a single run in the bottom of the seventh inning. 

A tremendous defensive effort by SUNY Canton extended the game to three extra innings.  The Roos stranded a runner at third base, who had advanced with no outs, by retiring three straight batters in the eighth inning.  SUNY Canton then escaped a bases loaded, no out situation in the bottom of the ninth inning.  The Roos made a defensive adjustment which led to a pair of catches in centerfield by Jenifer Shaw (Helendale, Calif.) and then Tina DeLuca (Fresh Meadows, N.Y.) ended the threat by striking out the final batter.

“We made the defensive plays we needed to make and we made some very tough defensive plays,” said head coach Diane Para.  “I was extremely pleased with our effort today.”

Lyndsay Coppola (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) reached base twice as she smacked a double and also drew a walk.  Coppola scored in the fifth inning after doubling and advancing two bases on errors.  Shaw also reached base twice as she was hit by a pitch and drew a walk and she scored the Roos’ other run in the top of the fourth inning.

DeLuca allowed six hits and one walk on the mound and she also had a single.

In the second game, which Point Park won 9-2, Carolina Olivares (Adelanto, Calif.) ripped a pair of singles for SUNY Canton (1-11).  Shaw, Coppola, and Emiley Walters (Lancaster, N.Y.) each had one single for the Roos.

Ashley Morran drove in the game-winning run for the Pioneers in the opener and she had a single in the nightcap.  Amanda Ardingler collected five hits on the day with four singles and a double.