For Immediate Release: May 1, 2011
Contact: David O'Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6478

BU softball clinches AE Tournament berth with 9-8, eight-inning win at Stony Brook
Bearcats rally from six runs down to earn first-ever spot in Division I postseason

Box Score

STONY BROOK, N.Y.-- Freshman third baseman Mikala King drove in the winning run in the top of the eighth inning, leading Binghamton (21-19, 9-5 AE) to a 9-8, eight-inning win over Stony Brook (19-25, 5-10 AE) in an America East softball game on Sunday afternoon at University Field. With the victory, the Bearcats are assured of reaching the America East Tournament for the first time in their 10 seasons in the conference.

With two outs and runners on first and second base, King singled into center field, putting the Bearcats ahead for good. Freshman pitcher Demi Laney then struck out three batters in the bottom of the eighth inning, improving her record to 3-0.

Earlier in the game, Binghamton overcame a 6-0 deficit. Senior catcher Deannie Plemon smacked a two-run home run in the top of the third inning and Laney, who started the game as the designated player, tied the score with a grand slam in the top of the fourth inning.

The Bearcats took the lead in the top of the seventh inning when freshman shortstop Jessica Bump drew a bases-loaded walk. One batter later, Laney reached on a fielding error and King scored on the play. Stony Brook, however, forced extra innings when Jessica Combs doubled in a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame.

Taylor Chain took the loss and is now 5-6.

Sophomore outfielder Jessica Phillips drew three walks and Plemon and King each scored a pair of runs.

Binghamton heads to Cornell for a 3:30 p.m. doubleheader on Wednesday.

NOTES: The America East Tournament will be held May 12-14 at the No. 1 seed in the conference. The four-team event will be double-elimination. Boston (12-3 AE) and Albany (11-4 AE) have already clinched spots. Maine (6-8 AE), Stony Brook and UMBC (7-10) are jockeying for the fourth and final position ... Plemon now has a conference-best 41 RBI this season. She is ranked second on the squad with 10 home runs. For her career, Plemon has a program-best 33 home runs and 120 RBI ... the Bearcats have now hit a program-best six grand slams this season ... the nine conference wins represents Binghamton's highest America East total since going 11-13 during the 2002 campaign. Back then, the conference also included Vermont and weekend series were four games as opposed to three.