For Immediate Release: April 10, 2011
Contact: David O'Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6478

BU softball defeats Albany 4-3 in eight innings
Bump drives in game-winning run with walk-off sacrifice fly

Box Score: Binghamton 4, Albany 3 (8 innings)

VESTAL, N.Y. -- Freshman shortstop Jessica Bump drove in the winning run on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth inning, leading Binghamton (13-11, 4-2 AE) to a 4-3 win over Albany (12-18, 5-1 AE) in an America East softball game on Sunday afternoon at the East Gym Field. The victory concluded the Bearcats' three-game conference series against the visiting Great Danes and marked the second extra-inning game the two squads played this weekend.

Senior first baseman Stephanie DeLuca singled to start off the bottom of the eighth inning and junior Briana Andrews was sent in to pinch run for her. Freshman Anna Blessing doubled down the left field line, sending Andrews to third base. That set the stage for Bump, whose fly ball into right field was deep enough to allow Andrews to score the winning run.

DeLuca and Andrews each homered earlier in the game. DeLuca's solo shot in the fourth inning tied the game at 1-1 and Blessing's two-run home run in the sixth inning put Binghamton up 3-1. Albany, however, tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the seventh inning on a two-run home run by Andrianna Walraven.

Freshman pitcher Demi Laney started the game, going the first seven innings. Sophomore pitcher Rhoda Marsteller took over in the top of the eighth inning and retired the side, improving her record to 4-5. Albany starting pitcher Brittany MacFawn went all 7.1 innings and was tagged with the loss, dropping her record to 7-5.

Both DeLuca and Blessing finished the game 2-for-4. DeLuca also scored a game-high two runs and improved her batting average to a career-best .328.

In addition to her game-winning sacrifice fly, Bump finished the game 1-for-3. Sophomore outfielder Jessica Phillips went 1-for-2 but also drew a pair of walks for the second time in three games against Albany. Her batting average remains at a conference-best .500 for the season.

Binghamton returns to action on Thursday at 3 p.m. with a home doubleheader against Colgate.

NOTES: DeLuca, who now has four home runs this season, finished the series against Albany 4-for-9 (.444) ... Blessing, who also has four home runs and is now hitting .308, recorded her fourth multiple-hit game of the year ... the 7.0 innings pitched by Laney represents her career-high.