POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam softball team (5-22) rallied for an 8-4 victory in game one and muscled its way to a 10-2 win in game two to sweep SUNY Canton (8-15) on Tuesday afternoon. Junior pitcher/left fielder Carina Chirinko (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) was 5-for-7 with four runs scored and both game-winning RBI. Sophomore shortstop Jordan Ott (Hilton, N.Y./Hilton) and junior catcher/first baseman Katie Marsman (Wantagh, N.Y./Wyoming Seminary) were each 3-for-7. Ott had three runs scored and an RBI and Marsman had two runs scored and three RBI including a two-run blast in game two.

Potsdam jumped out 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first as Ott scored on a passed ball. The Kangaroos tied the game in the third as freshman second baseman Kaleigh Foran (Fort Ann, N.Y./Fort Ann) scored on an error. A double by freshman designated hitter Lauren Brace (Moriah, N.Y./Moriah) put the Bears up 2-1 in the bottom of the third. Canton took its first lead in the top of the fourth on an RBI single from Foran and ground out. The Bears tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the inning as sophomore right fielder Noelle Rufa (Helena, N.Y./St. Lawrence Central) scored on a wild pitch.

The Kangaroos threatened to break the game open in the top of the fifth. Canton loaded the bases with one out on a single and two walks. Junior first baseman Kristyn Reynolds (Malone, N.Y./Franklin Academy) then walked allowing the go-ahead run to score, forcing Chirinko from the mound. She was replaced by freshman Jaime Hoskins (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport). Hoskins immediately struck out freshman third baseman Rachel Thornhill (Heuvelton, N.Y./Heuvelton) and then got Foran to fly out to end the inning and the Bears trailing just 4-3.

Both teams stranded two runners in the bottom of the fifth and top of the sixth. In the bottom of the sixth, Rufa led off with a walk and scored on a triple by Ott to tie the game. Chirinko followed with a single to score Ott for the eventual winning run. Marsman then doubled in Chirinko to make it 6-4. After a walk to Brace, freshman third baseman Chelsea Streeter (Massena, N.Y./Massena) laid down a sacrifice bunt, scoring senior pinch runner Emily Tremblay (Fort Covington, N.Y./Salmon River). Freshman centerfielder Lyndale Nephew (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Seton Catholic) closed out the scoring with an RBI single to right and it was 8-4 Bears.

Hoskins allowed a one-out hit to Reynolds in the top of the second, but that was it as she wrapped up her second collegiate victory.

Chirinko allowed two earned runs, while walking five and striking out two in 4.1 innings. Hoskins (2-9) struck out three, walked one and allowed just two hits in her 2.2 innings. Freshman Annie Sharlow (Malone, N.Y./Franklin Academy) (3-7) allowed five earned runs, on nine hits, while walking four and striking out three over five innings. Sophomore Morgan Wicks (Hartford, N.Y./Hartford) allowed one run on two hits, a strike out and a walk on one inning pitched.

The Bears scored two in the bottom of the first in the finale. Ott came home on an error and Nephew made it 2-0 with an RBI single to left. Canton tied the game in the bottom of the second on fielder's choice and an error.

Potsdam took the lead for good in the bottom of the second. Chirinko singled in Rufa to make it 3-2 and sophomore second baseman Alexis Lerman (Fayetteville, N.Y./Jamesville-DeWitt) just missed a grand slam with a rocket off the left field fence. She had to settle for a two-run double, but the Bears led 5-2 after two.

Freshman pitcher Meghan Dougherty (East Greenbush, N.Y./Columbia) shut Canton down the rest of the way. Over the final four innings, Potsdam's hurler allowed just a walk and two singles.

The Bears put the game away with five runs in the bottom of the sixth. Chirinko doubled to left center with one out and Marsman followed with a no-doubter over the left field fence. Streeter made it 8-2 with a single up the middle and Nephew followed with an RBI on a ground out. Senior pinch hitter Rachel Spiker (Grand Island, N.Y./Grand Island) ended the game with a two-out single under the glove of Roos freshman shortstop Bri Slater (Canajoharie N.Y./Canajoharie) that scored Streeter.

Dougherty (2-5) didn't allow an earned run while scattering three hits over the six innings. Canton sophomore Stephanie LaValley (Champlain, N.Y./Northeast Clinton) (0-1) allowed eight earned runs on 11 hits in 5.2 innings, while recording four strikeouts and walking four.

The Bears are back in action tomorrow afternoon when then head to St. Lawrence University for a doubleheader with the Saints. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.