VESTAL, N.Y. – UMBC softball's sophomore short stop Bridget O'Malley (Brooklyn, Md./Seton Keough) launched her first home run of the season, but it was not enough to take down Binghamton, as the Bearcats defeated the Retrievers, 6-2, in the series opener on Saturday afternoon at Bearcats Softball Complex

Binghamton improves to 10-10 on the season and 1-0 in America East action, while UMBC drops to 22-12 on the year and 0-3 in league play.

The Retrievers got on the board first in the top of the third inning. Junior Katlin Olesky (Irvine, Calif./Northwood/Saddleback College) singled to right field and O'Malley launched a two-run home run to center field to put UMBC out in front, 2-0.

Binghamton wasted no time responding in the bottom half of the frame. A single and an error put runners on second and third. Freshman Gabby Bracchi drove in the Bearcats' first run of the inning on a single and sophomore Lisa Cadogan followed with an RBI-single to left to even the score at two apiece. A two-run single from freshman Crysti Eichner put Binghamton on top, 4-2.

The Bearcats added two runs on three singles in the bottom of the fifth inning. Eichner registered her third RBI of the contest with a single that drove in Bracchi from second. Eichner stole second and came around to score on a single to center field from freshman Bridget Hunt.  

UMBC led-off the top of the seventh inning with a triple from freshman Kaelin Jackson (Export, Pa./Franklin Regional), but were unable to drive her in.

In the circle, Demi Laney tossed the complete game victory to improve to 7-4 on the season. She allowed two runs on two hits and struck out nine batters. UMBC freshman pitcher Jessica Holte (Ashland, Va./Atlee) threw the six inning loss (13-5), allowing three earned runs on nine hits.

The Retrievers and Bearcats conclude the series on Sunday, April 6 with a doubleheader starting at noon at the Bearcats Softball Complex.