COBLESKILL, N.Y. – A 5-run fifth inning propelled the Wilson College Phoenix to a 6-5 victory over the Wildcats in Friday's first round NEAC Tournament game. SUNYIT now heads to the loser's bracket in the double elimination tournament, and will play tomorrow at 1 pm versus an opponent to be determined.

After the Phoenix struck first with a run on 2 hits and 2 errors in the top of the first, the Wildcats rebounded in the bottom of the 3^rd with two runs to take the lead. Leadoff hitter Fallon Reinold (Holland Patent, N.Y. / Holland Patent) singled to start the inning, then freshman Kierston Albertson (Kirkville, N.Y. / East Syracuse Minoa) hit her first home run of the season to give SUNYIT the lead.

The Phoenix did all of their damage in the 5^th with two outs. With two runners on, third baseman Nicole Long tripled to put Wilson back on top, 3-2. Catcher Kaitlyn Wingard then doubled, scoring Long, and came around herself on a single followed by a passed ball. Finally, a single by Ashleen McCullough scored the Phoenix's final run. All told, the visiting team recorded 4 straight hits with 2 outs to take a 6-2 lead.

The Wildcats didn't take the hit lying down, however, responding with 2 runs in the bottom of the inning. Reinold again singled to start the inning but was thrown out trying to steal second. Albertson then walked and was doubled home by Krista Pristera (New Hartford, N.Y. / New Hartford). Pitcher Jessica Patterelli (Canastota, N.Y. / Canastota) then made it back-to-back doubles, scoring Pristera and pulling the Wildcats to within 2 runs, down 6-4.

Patterelli did a good job the rest of the way on the mound, holding the Phoenix scoreless in the 6^th and 7^th innings. Her work gave SUNYIT a chance to come back in the bottom of the 7^th. With one out, Reinold notched her 3^rd single of the game. Albertson was fanned for the second out of the inning, then a Pristera double scored Reinold, putting the tying run on second base. But Phoenix pitcher Taylor Crouse induced a groundout to short from Patterelli, dealing SUNYIT a crushing 6-5 loss.

The top of the lineup was excellent for SUNYIT, as Pristera and Albertson each recorded 2 RBI's while Reinold finished 3-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored. Cleanup hitter Patterelli went 1-for-2 with an RBI and 2 walks.

Unfortunately for the Wildcats, the second half of the lineup – which has been excellent for the Wildcats this season – struggled. Phoenix pitcher Crouse didn't allow a single runner from the 5-9 hitters, who finished 0-for-15 on the game.

Updates from the tournament can be found on the Cobleskill Athletics twitter feed throughout the weekend (@FightingTigers_), as well as on the SUNY Cobleskill tournament page below:

 http://fightingtigers.cobleskill.edu/sports/2014/4/30/SB_0430144700.aspx?path=softball