POTSDAM, N.Y.—SUNY Cortland (19-7, 8-0 SUNYAC) defeated the SUNY Potsdam softball team (3-14, 0-10 SUNYAC) 6-2 and 12-0 on Friday afternoon in a SUNYAC doubleheader at Potsdam. Freshman pitcher Megan Fish (Getzville, N.Y./Williamsville North) went 3-for-5, and senior catcher Lauren Brace (Moriah, N.Y./Moriah Central) went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in game one.

The Bears scored first in the opener. With two outs, Fish reached with a single. Brace followed with a two-run home run to give the Bears a 2-0 lead.

Cortland senior third baseman Kaleigh Churchill (Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee) led off the top of the second with a single to right field. Following a sacrifice bunt and a walk, freshman catcher Victoria Brown (Fresh Meadows, Archbishop Molloy) singled down the left field line, bringing in Churchill. Cortland scored another run after an error to tie the game.

In the top of the third, Churchill hit a one out double to center field. After a single, freshman outfielder Kelly O'Gorman (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) bunted to score Churchill, giving the Red Dragons their first lead of the contest. Brown then extended the lead 6-2, with a three-run home run.

Potsdam could not get anything going after the first, as senior pitcher Jamie Lachall (Philadelphia, PA/Sun Valley) and the Cortland defense retired the next 14 batters. Down to the final out, Potsdam freshman pinch hitter Emma McCarthy (Stone Ridge, N.Y./Roundout Valley) doubled to right center. However, the Bears were unable to bring her in, falling 6-2.

Bears sophomore Alissa McCauley (1-5) (Malone, N.Y./Franklin Academy) pitched seven innings, struck out three and gave up six runs. Lachall (7-3) pitched seven innings, struck out seven and allowed two runs.

In game two, both teams could not get an advantage through two innings. With two outs and a runner on second in the top of the third, Red Dragons senior first baseman Mikayla Shade (Glenmont, N.Y./Bethlehem Central) hit an RBI double to left field, putting Cortland on the board first. Following the double, Cortland kept the two-out rally going, scoring two more.

In the top of the fourth, O'Gorman belted one over the right-centerfield fence, making it 4-0. Potsdam brought in junior pitcher Meghan Dougherty (East Greenbush, N.Y./ Columbia) to relieve Fish, but Cortland tacked on three more runs to end the inning up 7-0. The Bears managed to get two on in the bottom fourth, but could not convert.

In the top of the fifth, Dougherty faced three batters and gave up one run. McCauley entered the game with runners on first and second and allowed a single to load the bases. Cortland followed with two sacrifice flies extending its lead to 10-0. The Red Dragons scored two more runs to close out the 12-0 victory.

Fish (2-3) pitched three innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs. Dougherty pitched one inning, giving up three hits and six earned runs, while McCauley pitched an inning, allowing four hits and two earned runs. Cortland senior Alexandrea Flint (7-3) (Dalton, N.Y./Keshequa) pitched five innings, striking out eight and giving up two hits.

The Bears will play again tomorrow at 10 a.m. as they host Oswego.