ELMIRA, N.Y.-  The SUNY Poly softball team traveled to Elmira on Wednesday to take on the Soaring Eagles in a non-conference doubleheader. The Wildcats and the Eagles played a close game one with Elmira ultimately winning on a walk-off stolen base. The Wildcats bounced back in game two earning a 3-0 win on the back of a fantastic pitching performance by Jordan Penoyer (Sherrill, N.Y.). The Wildcats are now 3-11 this season.

GAME ONE:

In game one of the Wildcats doubleheader against Elmira College, the Wildcats lost in an extra-innings thriller 8 to 7. SUNY Poly got off to a hot start scoring two runs right out of the gate in the top of the first. Elmira would also score a run in the first inning but the Wildcats built their lead back to two runs again in the top of the third inning on an RBI single by Bailee Haddad (Frankfort, N.Y.). With a  one-run lead in the top of the fifth inning, an error and an RBI single by Bailey Wood (Preston Hollow, N.Y.) extended the Wildcat lead to 5-2. Elmira College would rally in the sixth to score four runs on three RBI singles to take a one-run lead into the seventh inning. With their backs against the wall, the Wildcats scored one run in the seventh to send the game to extra innings. The 'Cats would take the lead once again in the top of the eighth inning, but a clutch RBI single by Samantha Jenkins tied the game at 7 setting up a walk-off situation for The Soaring Eagles. Elmira would capitalize, walking it off in the bottom of the eighth inning when Jenkins stole home.

NOTABLES:

• Courtney Morton (Whitesboro, N.Y.) had a big game for the Wildcats. She went 4-5 with a double, three singles, four runs scored, and had a stolen base.

• Bailee Haddad went 2-4  with two RBI singles.

• Taylor Hines (Mechanicville, N.Y.) also had two RBIs for the Wildcats. She had a pair of singles in the game.

• Bailey Wood went 2-4 for the Wildcats with an RBI.

• Kayla Maiolo (Brooklyn, N.Y.) was the losing pitcher in the matchup. She threw seven and 1/3 innings allowing seven earned runs on 13 hits. She struck out four batters.

• McKenzie Slaven was the winning pitcher for Elmira. She threw eight innings and allowed five earned runs on 11 hits.

• Rachel Keatzenberger had two RBIs for Elmira. She went 1-3 in the game.

• Sam Chadbourne hit a home run in the game for Elmira and scored two runs.

• Samantha Jenkins who was the hero after stealing home to win the game for Elmira; went 4-4 with four singles, a run scored, and an RBI.

GAME TWO:

The Wildcats bounced back well in game two after suffering the heartbreaking loss in game one. The 'Cats again got on the board quickly; scoring two runs in the top half of the first inning. The Wildcats would tack on a third run in the top of the third inning to take the three nothing lead which is where the game would end. Starting pitcher Jordan Penoyer cruised through the game for the Wildcats allowing no earned runs on just three hits while striking out two batters.

NOTABLES:

• Bailey Wood had the lone RBI in the game for the Wildcats.

• Melissa Barber (Nassau, N.Y.) went to for 4 with a run scored in the game.

• Bailee Haddad went two-for-three with a run scored and a walk in the game

• Jordan Penoyer was the winning pitcher for the Wildcats. She is now 2-2 this season. She struck out two batters, walked one, and allowed just three hits. It was her first career complete game shutout.

• Ally Barr was the losing pitcher despite throwing a solid game for Elmira. she allowed no earned runs, gave up six hits, and struck out six batters in the outing.

• Samantha Jenkins, Maddy Johnson, and Olivia Harnois each had a hit in the game for Elmira. Johnson had a pair of stolen bases in the game.

UP NEXT:

The Wildcats will hit the road next weekend traveling south to take on Lancaster Bible College and Penn College in a pair of North Eastern Athletic Conference doubleheaders. The Wildcats will take on Lancaster Bible on Friday, April 5th and will take on Penn College on Saturday, April 6th. Friday's games at Lancaster will start at 3:00 PM. Saturday's games against Penn College will begin at 1:00 PM. The games will be the Wildcats first NEAC competition of the season.

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SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) is New York's globally recognized, high-tech educational ecosystem, formed from the merger of the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering and SUNY Institute of Technology. SUNY Poly offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience and nanoengineering, as well as cutting-edge nanobioscience and nanoeconomics programs at its Albany location and undergraduate and graduate degrees in technology, including engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the engineering technologies; professional studies, including business, communication, and nursing; and arts and sciences, including natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences at its Utica/Rome location. Thriving athletic, recreational, and cultural programs, events, and activities complement the campus experience. As the world's most advanced, university-driven research enterprise, SUNY Poly boasts billions of dollars in high-tech investments and over 300 corporate partners since its inception. For information visit www.sunypoly.edu.