Bergin's Walk-Off Home Run Lifts University of Albany Softball Over Binghamton in 10-Inning Marathon - UAlbany Sports 2010

Albany, N.Y. - Jessica Bergin blasted a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning to propel the UAlbany softball team to a 6-5 win over Binghamton in the America East Conference softball opener for both schools on Saturday, March 27 at Albany Field. The two teams started the second game of their scheduled doubleheader before it was suspended due to darkness with the Bearcats ahead by a 4-2 score through four frames.

Binghamton (10-6, AE 0-1) used the long ball to jump out to a 4-0 advantage through the first three innings. Deannie Plemon hit her first of two solo home runs in the top of the first inning to put the Bearcats ahead by one in the early going. A Stephanie Valencia two-bagger to left center with one on and two outs doubled the lead in the second. Plemon lined another homer that barely graced over the fence in left with one down in the third, and Stephanie DeLuca went yard two batters later.

UAlbany (7-8, AE 1-0), which has won five straight games after dropping eight of its first 10, cut the lead in half by plating two runs in the bottom of the fifth after the first two outs were recorded. Michelle Connors (Shenendehowa) doubled to the gap in right center, and Gina Mason followed with a two-run homer to left field.

The Great Danes added three runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 6-5 advantage. Kristine Bill drew a leadoff walk before Katie Wambold hit a bunt single that stopped directly between the Bearcat pitcher and catcher. Bailey Van Deest, who came in as a pinch hitter, fouled off several close pitches and worked up a full count before earning a free pass to first to load the bases with nobody out. Bergin then hit a grounder to short, but the throw home to gun down Bill was dropped by the catcher. The botched play also allowed Wambold to come home and tie the game at four.

Rhoda Martsteller, the league's reigning rookie of the week who relieved Kristen Emerling to start the frame, was able to get a force-out at home on a grounder hit to third by Nicole Kothe before fanning Connors. Mason was hit by a pitch with the bases still loaded, allowing Bergin to score the go-ahead run. Marsteller got out of the frame by inducing an infield popup to third.

Despite giving up a four-run lead, the Bearcats were able to eventually force extra innings by taking advantage of a Great Dane error in the outfield. Briana Andrews was able to reach second on a routine fly to left to start the seventh. Shannon McLeese sacrificed Shannon Kane, who entered the game as a pinch runner, over to third, and Plemon singled to left to plate the tying run.

Marissa Powell, who entered the game in the fourth, did not allow the Bearcats to get a hit in the three extra innings. After Kayla Cilley fouled out to the first baseman to start the bottom of the 10th, Bergin gave the Great Danes the walk-off victory by belting a home run to dead center.

UAlbany's Leah McIntosh got the nod to start and pitched the first three innings. She surrendered four runs and four hits, issued three walks and fanned three batters. Powell earned the victory and improved to 1-5 on the season by hurling the final seven innings. She gave up one run, which was unearned, and four hits while striking out four and issuing just one walk.

Binghamton's Emerling was credited with the loss and dropped to 4-1. The sophomore, who pitched the first five frames and reentered the game in the seventh, went 8.1 innings in total and gave up seven hits and three runs. She also issued four walks and registered three strikeouts. Marsteller, who pitched the sixth inning and faced one batter in the seventh, surrendered one hit on a bunt single and three runs, including two which were unearned. She walked four and struck out one.

The two teams will continue their suspended game of the scheduled doubleheader tomorrow at noon and play the final contest of the weekend series following its completion.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information