ITHACA, N.Y. - Softball took the diamond for the first time at Niemand-Robison Field this season. The Big Red was matched up with central New York rival Binghamton. Both squads entered the Tuesday evening game with confidence, coming off of series victories in their weekend prior. The Bearcats ultimately came away with the win, outlasting Cornell 3-2 in a battle that went to eight-innings.

Binghamton was the first to get on the board when Brianna Santos singled to left field, sending Laney Harbaugh to the plate to give the Bearcats an early 1-0 lead. Santos was in on the action again, this time getting batted in on a single up the middle from Alli Richmond.

The Bearcats led 2-0 for five straight innings, until Emma Antich singled down the left-field line, to send Mari Zorrilla home for the opening Big Red run. Trailing 2-1 at the bottom of the sixth-inning, Lauren Holt registered in the clutch, sending a pitch over the right-field fence to knot the game up at 2-2. The seventh inning proved scoreless, sending the contest into extra innings.

At the start of the eight, Sarah Rende singled for the Bearcats, but would advance to second after a left-field error. Rende would then advance to third on a wild pitch (Richmond flied out to right-field). Hailey Ehlers came up clutch for Binghamton, doubling on a hit and sending Rende in for the go-ahead run that would prove to be enough for the victory. Lindsey Walter (Binghamton) was credited with the victory on the mound, moving her record to 4-1 on the season. Kyrie Denny was given the loss, dropping her season record to 2-4.

Next Action
The Big Red will be back in action this weekend for a three-game series against Ivy-League counterpart Yale. Game action will be broadcasted to ESPN+.