KEUKA PARK, N.Y. – The SUNYIT Softball Team (13-9, 7-3 NEAC) earned a split with North Division leader Keuka (11-7, 11-3 NEAC) on Sunday. With the split the Wildcats are now tied in the loss column with the Storm.

The Wildcats dropped the first game 3-2, but rebounded in the nightcap for a 12-8 win in 8 innings.

GAME 1: KEUKA 3, SUNYIT 2

In game one Keuka pitcher Danielle Gravel went the distance, allowing just 4 hits and 2 runs while striking out 2 and walking none on the day. Wildcat hurler Erica Hovey (Dexter, N.Y. / Jefferson CC) was nearly equal to the task, pitching a complete game and holding the home Storm scoreless in all but one inning, the fifth.

In the fifth the Storm led off with a walk, and a batter later McDonald tripled home Keuka's first run of the day. After a pop-up, Keuka then recorded three consecutive singles to take a 3-1 lead. SUNYIT would manage a run in the top of the 6th, but Gravel recorded three outs on four batters in the top of the 7^th to preserve the 3-2 win for Keuka.

GAME 2: SUNYIT 12, KEUKA 8 (8 INNINGS)

In game two the Wildcats took a 7-4 lead into the 7^th inning only to see Keuka tie it with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Showing great resolve, the Wildcats then responded with 5 runs in the top of the 8^th and held on for the win, 12-8.

Seniors Lyndsey Brognano (Rome, N.Y. / RFA) and Lauren Marleau (Prospect, N.Y. / Holland Patent) had huge games at the plate for SUNYIT, finishing a combined 9-for-10 at the plate on the day. Brognano, the team's leadoff hitter, went 4-for-5 and scored 5 runs, while Marleau finished a perfect 5-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.

In the 8^th, Fallon Reinold (Holland Patent, N.Y. / Holland Patent) singled with one out to advance Brognano to third, setting up what would ultimately be a game-winning 2-RBI triple from Krista Pristera (New Hartford, N.Y. / New Hartford). SUNYIT would tack on another three runs in the inning, and Hovey – who came on in relief in the 6^th inning – would hold Keuka to a single run in the bottom half to give SUNYIT the win.

Due to rainouts, the Wildcats will now have to run a conference gauntlet of games in the next week: SUNYIT is scheduled to play home doubleheaders on this upcoming Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The first of this amazing 10-game stretch is set to take place on Tuesday, April 23^rd, at 3:00 pm, as the Wildcats host Wells College.