POTSDAM, N.Y.—Buffalo State (15-21, 11-7 SUNYAC) defeated the SUNY Potsdam softball team (9-24, 2-16) 2-1 and 4-1 in the last contests of the season. Sophomore center fielder Brooke Falsion (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport) was 4-for-6 with two runs scored for the Bears on the day.

The Bengals took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first of the opener after sophomore third baseman Cassandra O'Hern (Augusta, N.J./High Point) drove in sophomore center fielder Laura Crooks (Niagara Falls, N.Y./Niagara-Wheatfield) with a ground out.

Potsdam tied the game in the bottom of the inning. Sophomore centerfield Brooke Falsion (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport) led off with a triple to left. Freshman designated player Emma McCarthy (Stone Ridge, N.Y./Rondout Valley) then bunted in Falsion.

Bears freshman pitcher Megan Fish (Getzville, N.Y./Williamsville North) and Buffalo State sophomore pitcher Allie Block (North Tonawonda, N.Y./Starpoint) cruised through lineups for much of the remaining contest.

The Bengals pushed across the decisive run in the top of the fourth. Freshman designated player Kaelee Lynch (Atwater, Calif./Buhach Colony) singled in Block. Buffalo State threatened again in the sixth, but Fish battled through a runners at second and third, no out jam unscathed.

The Bears outfield arms were on display in the top of the seventh. After a Crooks single up the middle, Falsion gunned down sophomore shortstop Julia Blujus (Amherst, N.Y./Sacred Heart) at the plate. On the very next play, O'Hern singled to right field and freshman right fielder Lacey Saucier (Williamstown, N.Y./APW) nailed Crooks at home.

Fish (4-7) allowed the two earned runs on eight hits, three walks and two strikeouts. Block improved to 14-12 after scattering four hits and allowing one run in her seven innings. She struck out seven Bears.

In game two, Falsion started quickly again. She reached on a perfectly place bunt single. McCarthy sacrificed her to second and senior shortstop Jordan Ott (Hilton, N.Y./Hilton) singled to right for the 60th and final RBI of her career.

Buffalo State broke through in the top of the third. After the first two Bengals reached on errors, Blujus doubled to left to make it 2-1. O'Hern followed with an RBI single for a 3-1 advantage. Buffalo State tacked on a final run in the top of the seventh with another run scoring single from O'Hern.

Block (15-12) recorded anther gem, allowing one run on five hits, two walks and six strikeouts. Bears junior pitcher Meghan Dougherty (East Greenbush, N.Y./Columbia) allowed four runs, though only one was earned, on four hits. She walked three and struck out two in 6.1 innings. Sophomore Alissa McCauley (Malone, N.Y./Franklin Academy) gave up one hit in the last 0.2 innings.

The contests bring to a close the careers of seniors Ott, Angela Yodis (Duanesburg, N.Y./Schalmont), Noelle Rufa (Helena, N.Y./St. Lawrence Central), Kolbi Lyon (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Plattsburgh) and Erin Murphy (Kingston, N.Y./Kingston).

Ott finishes as the all-time leader in hits (156), on-base percentage (.445), slugging percentage (.579), at bats (418), runs scored (89), doubles (35), triples (12), total bases (242), and walks (53). She is second in batting average (.373), games played (132), games started (132), RBI (60) and is third in stolen bases (28) and fourth in home runs (9).

Yodis had seven hits, four RBI and a run in 69 career games. Rufa had 29 hits, 25 runs and five RBI in 101 games. Lyon had eight hits, 10 runs and two RBI in 53 games. Murphy totaled 17 hits, seven runs, a home run, 12 RBI and a .972 fielding percentage in 75 games.