MARCY, N.Y. – The SUNY Polytechnic Softball Team (5-11, 3-3 NEAC) salvaged a split with the Fighting Tigers of SUNY Cobleskill (13-2, 7-1 NEAC) on Thursday evening via a walk-off base hit by Leah Segerlin.
After dropping the first game of the doubleheader 4-1, the Wildcats found themselves down 5-3 heading into the bottom of the 7th inning and in danger of getting swept.The inning broke on a well-placed line drive from Danielle Witchley. With one out, Witchley took the offering from Cobleskill hurler Nichols deep down the right-field line. The ball fell just out of the right-fielder's reach, resulting in a triple that plated Wildcat third baseman Krista Pristera, who had singled to lead off the inning.Abby Coyne then came to the plate and blooped a single over the shortstop's head, scoring Witchley and tying the game.
The game appeared headed to extra innings after a flyout left Coyne stranded on first base with 2 outs. That was when Segerlin strolled to the plate. The righty hit a sharp liner to shallow right-center field. The hit looked like it would prolong the inning, but the Fighting Tiger center fielder attempted to catch the ball with a dive instead of rounding the ball to keep it in front. The mistake was costly, as it allowed Segerlin's line drive to go all the way to the wall, scoring Coyne easily all the way from first and giving the Wildcats a 6-5 walk-off victory.
In addition to their starring roles in the Wildcat comeback, Witchley and Coyne had monster days at the plate overall. Witchley finished 3-for-3 with an RBI and 2 runs scored, while Coyne led the Wildcats with a 4-for-4 days that included 2 RBI's and 2 runs scored.
Samantha Stewart picked up her first win of the year on the mound for the home team, coming on to pitch 2 innings in relief of Bridget Ashmore, who pitched well herself in a 5-inning, 3 run performance.
SUNY Poly will host another home doubleheader tomorrow afternoon when they welcome the Kangaroos of SUNY Canton to Wildcat Field. The first game is scheduled to begin at 3:30 pm.
