POTSDAM, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam softball team (7-17, 1-13 SUNYAC) dropped two closely contested games to North Country SUNYAC rival Plattsburgh State (19-11, 9-5 SUNYAC) Sunday afternoon.

In the first game of the doubleheader, Plattsburgh edged the Bears with a two run sac fly in the top of the seventh to secure a 6-4 decision. Both teams struggled to generate offense in the early stages of the contest. It wasn't until the fourth inning that the Cardinals finally struck to take a commanding 4-0 lead. Yet, Potsdam continued to battle and would rally behind a two RBI triple by junior Ashley Thayer. Senior Amanda Perry and junior Brittany Thivierge added RBIs to notch the score at 4-4 in the sixth inning. However, it was Plattsburgh that would come away with the key plays in the seventh to earn the win.

Thayer led the Bears with a two for four performance, totaling two RBIs and a triple. On the mound, Thayer allowed six hits in seven innings of play and recorded three strikeouts. Freshman Katie Marsman added a one for three showing with one RBI. Plattsburgh's Ashley Marshall allowed five hits and tallied 14 strikeouts in seven innings.

In the final game of the twin bill, the Cardinals rallied in the top of the seventh to tie the game and defeat the Bears in extra innings. Thayer sparked Potsdam in the opening inning with a triple over the center fielder. Immediately after, Perry connected on a bomb over the left field fence to give Potsdam an early 2-0 lead. Marsman then added a double and Thivierge drove her teammate in with a single to left field. The Bears continued to roll in the third inning as Perry hit a bases loaded single to extend the lead to 4-0. The Cardinals would threaten in the fourth with the bases full but junior Megan Johnson got out of the jam, only relinquishing one run. Plattsburgh seemed poised to make a comeback after capitalizing on several Potsdam errors to cut the deficit to 4-2 after five innings of play. The Cardinals used the new found momentum going into the seventh inning. Brianna Clarke stepped up for Plattsburgh with a two run shot over the center field wall with one out to notch the game at four all. However, Johnson was able to regain her composure to close out the top of the inning. Marshall and company proved to be too strong for the Bears in the bottom of the seventh and the game would go into extra innings.

In extra innings, Plattsburgh took their first lead of the game in the ninth off of a single by Michelle Iannone. Senior Heather Johnson responded in the bottom of the stanza with a triple. With runners on third and second, Marshall would throw the ball in the dirt. Johnson hustled in to score and notch the game at five all. The tenth inning of play introduced the international rules as a runner was put on second base. The Cardinals would use this to their advantage with a sac fly to bring in their runner. The Bears could not convert on their opportunity as Marshall struck out two batters to secure the 6-5 victory.

Perry finished two for five with three RBIs and a homerun to lead Potsdam. Thivierge went two for four with one RBI. Thayer and H. Johnson each concluded with a triple and one run scored. M. Johnson pitched a complete game with five strikeouts. Marshall came in for relief in the first inning and recorded 14 strikeouts.

The Bears return to action tomorrow versus North Country rival St. Lawrence University for a non-conference matchup.