For Immediate Release: March 19, 2011
Contact: David O'Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6478

BU softball gains split in Day Two of James Madison Tournament
Tucker hits first grand slam by a Binghamton player since 2007

Box score: Binghamton vs. St. John's
Box score: Binghamton vs. James Madison

HARRISONBURG, Va. -- Junior outfielder Meghan Tucker hit a grand slam as Binghamton (7-6) managed a split in the second day of the James Madison Softball Tournament. The Bearcats defeated St. John's (12-14) 5-3 but in the second game, they lost 2-1 to the host Dukes (16-9) in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Tucker's decisive blast capped a five-run Bearcat rally in the bottom of the sixth inning against St. John's. With Binghamton down 3-0, senior catcher Deannie Plemon singled home sophomore outfielder Jessica Phillips, who had started off the inning with a double. From there, two of the next three batters were hit by a pitch, setting the stage for Tucker's heroics. Her grand slam is first by a Binghamton player since Mia Bieman hit one against Niagara on March 11, 2007.

Until the Binghamton comeback, the story of the game had been errors. The Bearcats committed five miscues and two of the runs by the Red Storm were unearned. After going up 1-0 in the top of the second inning, St. John's got a pair of unearned runs in the top of the fifth inning.

Sophomore pitcher Kate Price came on in relief in the third inning and got the win by going 5.0 innings, allowing three hits, no earned runs and striking out six batters. Her record improved to 2-1. Kat Lawrence took the loss and is now 5-5.

Tucker's home run was her second of the season.

Binghamton struck first in the game against James Madison, as junior third baseman Colleen Whitaker doubled home Phillips in the top of the fourth inning. In the bottom of the frame, however, Ashley Burnham led off with a game-tying home run.

The score remained tied at 1-1 until the bottom of the seventh inning. With two outs and the bases loaded, Jasmine Butler singled home the winning run.

Olivia McPherson (7-3) scattered one run on three hits and struck out seven batters in 7.0 innings to get the win. Sophomore pitcher Rhoda Marsteller (1-3) took the loss.

Burnham finished the game 3-for-3 for the Dukes.

Plemon and senior first baseman Stephanie DeLuca each finished the day 2-for-4.

Binghamton wraps up its weekend at the James Madison Tournament with a 10 a.m. game against Lehigh on Sunday.

NOTES: Five of the Bearcats' six defeats this season have been decided in extra innings or in the bottom of the seventh inning ... the Bearcats continue to lead the America East with a 1.77 team ERA ... Phillips, who is batting a team-best .405, has reached base safely in 12 straight games. Her on-base percentage is a team-best .532 and she scored a team-high 10 runs ... Plemon, who is second on the squad with 10 RBI, has gone 4-for-13 (.308) in Binghamton's last five games. She has also hit safely in five of the Bearcats' last eight games.