WILKES-BARRE, PA.-- The SUNY Potsdam softball team (2-4) fell to Wilkes University (8-4) 3-4 and 4-7 on Friday afternoon. Senior catcher Lauren Brace (Moriah, N.Y./Moriah Central) went 2-for-7 and brought in two runs. Freshman pitcher Kayla Palmer (Chester, N.Y./Chester) went 1-for-4 game 1, and hit her first collegiate home run.

The Bears broke the scoreless tie in the top of the third. Sophomore left fielder Lucy Condon (Kitchener, Ontario/St. David Catholic) started the third working a walk, and followed it up by stealing second. After reaching third from sophomore first baseman Megan Fish's (Getzville, N.Y./Williamsville North) single, Condon was able to steal home and give Potsdam a 1-0 lead.

The Bears extended their lead the following inning with a solo home run from Palmer. In the bottom half of the inning, Colonels' Nicolette Kessler singled and plated Megan Magoon to reduce the deficit 2-1.

Wilkes University took control with a three-run bottom of the fifth. Celine Podlesney tied the game up with a single through the left side, bringing in Sarah Birchmeier. With the bases loaded and one out in the fifth, Palmer came in to relieve senior Samantha Hubinsky (Gansevoort, N.Y./South Glens Falls). Palmer managed to strike out the first batter she faced, however she gave up a single to left field to Christina Gambino that brought in two runners. The Colonels went into the sixth up 4-2.

Down to their final out Brace singled to right field and brought in Hubinsky. The Bears could not get any closer and lost the first game 4-3.

Hubinsky (1-1) received the loss after pitching 4.1 innings, striking out three, and allowing three earned runs on six hits. Palmer pitched the final 1.2 innings, striking out one, and allowing one hit. Gambino pitched a complete game, struck out five, and gave up three runs on six hits.

Brace went 1-for-3 with an RBI, while Kayla Palmer went 1-for-4 with her first collegiate home run.

For game 2, Brace hit a single up middle to bring in junior center fielder Brooke Falsion (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport) and give Potsdam an early 1-0 lead.

Sydney Cogswell tied it up for Wilkes in the bottom of the second with a single to centerfield, that brought in Caitlin Brown. The tie did not last long as the Bears got another run in the top of the third. With two on and one out freshman third baseman Sydney Miller (Hoosick Falls, N.Y./Hoosick Falls) singled up the middle that brought Fish across home for a 2-1 lead.

In the top of the fifth with the bases loaded, Falsion grounded the ball to the shortstop, who messed up the throw and allowed two runners to score. Potsdam entered the bottom half of the inning up 4-1.

The Colonels narrowed the game to one in the bottom of the fifth. After a throwing error, Sarah Gibson was able to steal home and tack on a run. During the same at-bat, Brown singled to the left side and brought in another run.

In the bottom of the sixth, Wilkes had a quick rally with their first four batters getting a hit, tying the game at four in the process. One out later Britny Jumalon hit a sacrifice fly to take the lead. The Colonels closed out the inning with a two RBI triple hit by Haley Welker.

Potsdam could not get anything done in the final at-bats and lost game 2, 7-4.

Fish pitched the first 4.2 innings and allowed three runs on seven hits. Junior pitcher Alissa McCauley (Malone, N.Y./Franklin Academy) (0-2) received the loss after pitching 1.1 innings, striking out two, and allowing four runs on six hits. Erika Gerace pitched all seven innings, struck out three and allowed two earned runs on seven hits.

Freshman shortstop Grace Folmsbee (Red Hook, N.Y./Red Hook) went 2-for-4 during the contest. Fish went 1-for-3 and scored a run, and sophomore second baseman Sarah Hyland (Stony Brook, N.Y./Ward Melville) went 1-for-1 and scored a run.

The Bears return to action tomorrow at 2 p.m. when they face Penn College in a doubleheader in Williamsport, Pa.