Utica, N.Y. - The SUNY Poly softball team dropped a close matchup to the SUNY Potsdam bears by a score of 9-8. Five different Wildcats drove in runs, with Kimberly Birmingham leading the way with three. The Wildcats are now 6-5 on the season. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

The game got off to a quiet start, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm early on. The Bears went down in order in the top of the first, with a couple of strikeouts. Similarly, the Wildcats' offense was stifled in their half of the first, with a trio of pop-ups and groundouts leaving them scoreless.

The game remained tied until the Bears finally got on the board in the third. Kiara Lovejoy reached base on an error, advanced to second on a passed ball, and then scored on a double by Kaylee Dobransky. However, the Bears couldn't extend their lead, and the Wildcats responded quickly in the bottom half. Trinity Critelli led off with a double, and Ava Faragon's double drove in the tying run. Another RBI from Shelbi Hagues put the Wildcats ahead 2-1. 

The Wildcats would add to their lead in the bottom of the fifth. An error allowed Faragon to reach base, and Birmingham would bring her home with a single.

SUNY Potsdam would explode for seven runs in the seventh inning. Kelsey Bennett led off with a double, and Danielle Moscarello's single brought her home. Some defensive mistakes by the Wildcats allowed the Bears to keep the pressure on, and a two-RBI single from Rebecca Holmes pushed the Bears ahead 9-4.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Wildcats mounted a fierce rally. They quickly closed the gap, starting with a double by Annabella Mondello and a two-RBI double from  Birmingham. A sac fly from Joely Welpe brought the Wildcats even closer, but the Bears' defense and pitching held steady as Faragon would pop out to the shortstop to end the game with a final score of 9-8.