Two eighth inning home runs in game one helped SUNY Geneseo (17-13, 10-6 SUNYAC) to a sweep of the SUNY Potsdam softball team (4-22, 3-11) on Senior Day this afternoon.

The Blue Knights opened the scoring in the top of the third inning of game one with two runs. With runners at the corners and two outs, Blue Knight freshman first baseman Abby Dennett (Penfield, N.Y./Penfield) singled to drive in junior catcher Ashley Fillmore (Getzville, N.Y./Williamsville North). Former Bear and current Geneseo junior designated player Sami Brown (Canton, N.Y./Hugh C. Williams) then scored on a throwing error. Potsdam answered in the bottom of the inning as freshman pinch runner Erin Tremblay (Fort Covington, N.Y./Salmon River) was sacrificed in by sophomore first baseman Katie Marsman (Wantagh, N.Y./Wyoming Seminary) to cut the gap to 2-1. The Blue Knights added a run in the top of the fourth and sixth innings on a solo shot from senior third baseman Elise Porreca (Lancaster, N.Y./Lancaster) and a sacrifice fly off the bat of sophomore shortstop Jenna Phillips (Eden, N.Y./Eden).

The Bears rallied in the bottom of the sixth with three runs on four hits. Bears senior third baseman Molly McCuin (Winthrop, N.Y./St. Lawrence Central) hit a one out double to score Marsman. With two outs, Alexis Lerman (Fayetteville, N.Y./Fayetteville-Manlius) doubled home senior designated player Shannon Pagliaro (Beacon, N.Y./Beacon) and freshman left fielder Kelly Becker (Mahopac, N.Y./Mahopac) to tie the score. Both teams stranded runners in the seventh headed to the eighth still knotted at four all.

After scoring eight total runs in the first seven innings, the teams combined for seven in the eighth. Phillips hit a three-run homer to give the Blue Knights a 7-4 advantage. After a walk, Geneseo junior second baseman Jenna Reilley launched a two-run homer for a five-run lead. Down to the final out, Pagliaro singled to keep the Bears alive. Lerman continued her hot hitting by hitting a two-run homer over the center field fence. That was as close as Potsdam could get, falling 9-6.

Blue Knight junior pitcher Corrin Spallone (Greece, N.Y./Greece Arcadia) went the distance to improve to 10-3. She allowed six runs, while striking out four and walking one. Bears senior captain Megan Johnson (Heuvelton, N.Y./Heuvelton) (3-10) also went the full eight innings, allowing eight earned runs with four K's and a walk.

Offensively, Phillips was 3-for-3 with 4 RBI's to lead Geneseo, while teammate Porreca was 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Lerman led the Bears, going 3-for-4 with four RBI's. Marsman was 3-for-3 with an RBI and Pagliaro was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

In game two, Potsdam senior pitcher Megan Briner (Corinth, N.Y./Corinth) matched zeroes with Geneseo sophomore hurler Mikayla Moore (Stillwater, N.Y./Stillwater) through three innings. In the fourth, freshman right fielder Alyssa Presutti (Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville South) hit a two-run double put the Blue Knights up 2-0. Reilley followed with another double to score Presutti. Then Moore walked and Fillmore hit a two-run rocket over the center field fence to close out the five-run explosion. After a leadoff single in the top of the sixth, sophomore Carina Chirinko (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) replaced Briner on the mound for the Bears. Geneseo then added a final run as sophomore designated hitter Katie Brennan (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Mendon) scored after a pair of errors.

On the mound, Moore completed the four-hit shutout to improve to 6-4. She recorded five strikeouts and walked two. Briner fell to 1-9, allowing five earned runs on nine hits. Chrinko pitched the final three innings, allowing no runs on three hits and striking out four.

Fillmore led the Blue Knights, going 2-for-4 with two RBI's. Presutti was 1-for-3 with two RBI's.

The Bears are back in action tomorrow when they host Brockport for two at 12 p.m.