POTSDAM, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam softball team (11-21, 2-16 SUNYAC) hosted Buffalo State (14-18, 8-10 SUNYAC) for their Senior Day and Breast Cancer Awareness game Saturday afternoon. The Bears recognized Heather Johnson, Amanda Perry, Sarah Hraniotis, and Ashley Thayer for their contributions to the program.

In the first game of the twin bill, the Bengals rallied behind a grand slam by Breanna Fenski to pull away from Potsdam in a 6-0 victory. The Bears struggled offensively as they mustered only three hits. Maddie Coneys pitched a complete game, recording three strikeouts. Buffalo State got the ball rolling in the second inning of play with bases loaded RBI walk. Shortly after, Fenski connected on her homerun to extend the lead to 5-0. Potsdam tried to spark an offensive charge with a Heather Johnson single up the middle but the Bengals immediately squashed the attempt in the third inning of play. Buffalo State would add one more run on an error to secure the win.

Heather Johnson finished two for three on the game. Fenski led the Bengals with four RBIs and one run scored. Thayer tallied six strikeouts in a complete game but allowed 11 hits.

The final game of the doubleheader was a pitchers' dual from start to finish. Junior Megan Johnson allowed only four hits in seven innings and recorded three strikeouts. Kelsi Leo and Sam Tilkins combined for the shutout, allowing five hits and tallying three strikeouts. Sam Strapason would drive in her teammate Fenski in the top of the fourth to notch the only run of the game. Five different Bears finished with a hit in the game but were unable to bring in the game-tying run.

Junior Brittany Thivierge led the Bears with a one for two performance, recording a double. Strapason went one for three with one RBI. Leo earned the win in four innings pitched. Tilkins earned the save in relief of Leo to conclude the final three innings.