CLINTON, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam softball team (7-15) received two homeruns from seniors Heather Johnson (Heuvelton, N.Y. / Heuvelton) and Amanda Perry (South Glens Falls, N.Y. / South Glens Falls) in a doubleheader loss to Hamilton College (9-18) late Thursday afternoon.

In the first contest of the twin bill, the Continentals shutdown the Bears to claim a 5-0 victory. Two quick innings for both team set the tone in the early stages of the doubleheader. Hamilton struck first in the third inning with a sac fly to left field to hold a 1-0 lead. The Continentals continued the momentum in the fourth inning off of two singles to extend the lead to 4-0. A Melissa Kiknis single would cap off the scoring for the game to secure the 5-0 shutout for Hamilton. The Bears could not solve the Conitnetal's Kelly Leonard on the mound as the sophomore allowed only two hits in seven innings of play and recorded six strikeouts.

Leonard added a two for two performance in the batters box, crossing the place twice. Four Continentals notched RBIs in the win. Junior Megan Johnson (Heuvelton, N.Y. / Heuvelton) pitched six innings, allowing eight hits and tallying four strikeouts.

The Hamilton bats remained hot in the final contest despite a push by the Bears in the second inning. Perry kicked off the second game with her first homerun of the season over the left field fence. However, Hamilton matched the senior with four runs to hold a 4-1 advantage after one inning. Johnson followed in her fellow senior's footsteps with a grand slam into center to give the Bears the 5-4 lead. Yet, the Continentals would answer in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at five all. The Hamilton defense would come alive in the remaining innings to hold Potsdam scoreless. In the third inning, the Continentals rallied behind a homerun by Lauren Fairman to claim a 6-5 lead. Hamilton capped off the scoring in the fifth inning with a two RBI double to seal the 8-5 decision.

Johnson finished one for four with four RBIs. Perry concluded the game two for four with one RBI. Freshman pitcher Jordan Sarat (Caledonia, N.Y. / Caledonia-Mumford) allowed nine hits and notched two strikeouts. Junior Ashley Thayer (Winthrop, N.Y. / St. Lawrence) totaled four strikeouts in four innings of relief on the mound.

The Bears return to action on Saturday, April 20 for a SUNYAC matchup versus SUNY Plattsburgh. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.