Alfred, NY- Alfred State Softball powered through a thrilling matchup and emerged on top, riding a relentless offense and a pair of explosive innings to defeat Pitt-Bradford 12–8. With this win, the Pioneers close out conference play with a 9-7 record, placing third in the AMCC.
The Pioneers wasted no time getting on the board. In the top of the first,
Liana Dion ripped a double to left, driving in two and giving Alfred State an early 2–0 lead. Pitt-Bradford punched right back in the second, stringing together three runs to take a 3–2 advantage. Alfred State responded with the kind of inning that defines a game. In the bottom of the second,
Trinity Scott delivered the swing of the day—a bases-clearing double to left that plated three and flipped the score to 5–3. Moments later,
Abbie Millard launched a two-run homer, stretching the lead to 7–3 and electrifying the dugout.
The Pioneers kept the pressure on in the third.
Emma Edwards punched a two-run single through the right side, pushing the lead to 9–3 and giving Alfred State a cushion they'd need later. The Panthers refused to let up as they put up one run in the fourth and a four-run burst in the fifth to make it a one-run game, 9-8. In the bottom of the fifth, the Pioneers capitalized on a pair of defensive errors and timely hitting. Edwards reached on an error to score a run, Millard added another RBI with a single, and
Nicole Youngberg capped the inning with a run-scoring hit to make it 12–8. ASC held firm and shut down Pitt-Brad in a clutch win, allowing them to secure the #3 seed heading into postseason play.
The Pioneers head to Keuka tomorrow for a non-conference doubleheader before playoffs begin mid-week.
