UMBC

Vestal, N.Y.-The UMBC softball team (26-14, 9-6 America East) took a 5-0 lead but couldn’t hang on as host Binghamton (6-25, 2-12 America East) came back for an 8-7 victory in eight innings Tuesday afternoon at East Gym Field. The loss is the Retrievers’ fourth in a row and sixth in their last eight games.

UMBC scored five times in the top of the first inning on five singles, a sacrifice fly and a Binghamton error. But the Bearcats scored three in the second and two in the fourth to tie the game.

The Retrievers stranded the bases loaded in the fourth but got a run in the fifth on Binghamton’s second error of the game to regain the lead at 6-5, but the Bearcats took it right back in the bottom of the inning, scoring twice on only one hit.

UMBC tied the game at 7-7 in the top of the sixth when center fielder Kali Shirk walked, stole second and scored on a single by first baseman Melanie Denischuk.

Each team stranded two runners in the sixth and seventh, sending the game into extra innings. With one out in the bottom of the eighth, Binghamton right fielder Sandy Meadows walked and stole second, then came around to score the winning run on a single by second baseman Patty Egan.

Cyrilla Suker picked up the victory for Binghamton after allowing one run on three hits and three walks while striking out eight in four innings of relief. Jessica Whitaker started the game and gave up six runs (three earned) on eight hits and two walks in four innings.

Krista Kearns suffered the loss for the Retrievers. She allowed three runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks while striking out three in 3.2 innings in relief. Amanda Fefel started the game and gave up five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out four in 3.2 innings of work.

Kearns led the Retrievers at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Shirk went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Four Bearcats had two hits apiece.

The Retrievers return to action this weekend when they head to Stony Brook, N.Y. for an America East series.