Oneonta, N.Y. - The SUNY Poly softball team is advancing to the next round of the Empire 8 playoffs after defeating the Russell Sage College Gators by a score of 3-1. Kimberly Birmingham was instrumental on offense, driving in two runs. Trinity Critelli dominated in the circle, striking out 11 batters in a complete game effort. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

The Wildcats struck quickly in the top of the first. Ava Faragon and Alivia Turk opened the game with walks, and Shelbi Hagues reached base with a bunt single to load the bases early. Kimberly Birmingham then drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in the game's first run. Two batters later, Joely Welpe added another RBI walk to make it 2–0 before Sage finally escaped the inning.

Sage had a chance to respond in the bottom of the first, loading the bases with one out after a couple of walks and a single. But SUNY Poly starter Trinity Critelli buckled down, striking out two straight to strand all three runners.

From there, the middle innings were dominated by pitching and missed opportunities. SUNY Poly threatened again in the fourth and fifth innings, but stranded a pair of runners in scoring position. Sage put two on in the second following a single and an error, but couldn't cash in.

The Gators broke through in the fifth. Annalise Tyler led off with a double and was bunted to third. Emma Heartquist then drove her in with a groundout to short, trimming the deficit to 2–1.

But the Wildcats answered in the seventh. Faragon walked to start the frame, advanced on a sacrifice, and came around to score on Birmingham's clutch two-out RBI double, stretching the lead to 3–1.

Sage made one last push in the bottom half. After two quick outs, Tyler drew a walk to bring the tying run to the plate. But Critelli locked in and got a called third strike to seal the win for the Wildcats.

The Wildcats will now travel to Saint John Fisher to play either the Cardinals or the Alfred University Saxons on May 8th.