The SUNY Potsdam softball team continued its strong offensive performance in a pair of wins Tuesday, defeating Kenyon 9-1 (five innings) before knocking off Rockford 7-3 at the Gene Cusic Classic in Ft. Myers, Fla.

With Tuesday’s victories, the Bears are now 4-2 on their season-opening, spring break trip after splitting games on Sunday and Monday.

Against Kenyon, Potsdam scored seven runs in the first two innings, including five in the bottom of the second, and added runs in the third and fifth to win by mercy rule.

Senior captain Ally Breivogel (Bellmore, N.Y.) and junior Heidi Grebinger (Bellmore, N.Y.) led the Bears offense with two hits apiece, while Grebinger and senior Dana Vollmuth (Great River, N.Y.) each knocked in two runs.

Sophomore Jenn Jones (Watertown, N.Y.) hit her first career home run.

Junior pitcher Brittany Pawlowski (West Seneca, N.Y.) picked up her second victory of the season, allowing just four hits and one run while striking out six in five innings of work.

Freshman Ashley Thayer starred against Rockford, picking up the complete-game win on the mound while posting a 3-for-4 performance at the plate with two runs scored and a pair of stolen bases. The Winthrop, N.Y., native recorded her second complete-game victory in as many starts, striking out 11 in the process to boost her season total to 25.

Senior Sue Garrett (Queens Village, N.Y.) added three hits and sophomore Heather Johnson (Heuvelton, N.Y.) went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.

For the second straight game, Potsdam tallied multiple runs early, scoring five runs in the first two frames, highlighted by run-scoring, extra-base hits by Grebinger and sophomore Amanda Perry (South Glens Falls, N.Y.) in the first.

The Bears opened the season on Sunday, defeating Bethany Lutheran 15-5 prior to falling against Hiram 14-6. On Monday, Potsdam split again, besting Bridgewater State 7-2 before losing to Anna Maria 13-8.

The Bears continue their spring break slate this Thursday against Regis (9 a.m.) and Olivet (11 a.m.).

On a related note, the State University of New York Athletic Conference released its 2011 Softball Preseason Coaches’ Poll, where the Bears were picked to finish 10th, earlier Tuesday.

Potsdam, which finished ninth last season with a 3-15 conference record, opens league play on April 1 at home against Plattsburgh.