Farmington, Maine: SUNY Cobleskill softball split a Sunday doubleheader at the University of Maine Farmington, dropping Game One 8-2 before responding with a dominant 9-0 shutout in Game Two to even the twinbill and improve to 10-12 on the season.
Game One: The Fighting Tigers collected nine hits in the opener but were unable to overcome a five-run second inning from the host Beavers.

SUNY Cobleskill struck first in the second inning when left fielder Aliyah Neeser led off with a triple to right center and scored on an RBI single by designated player Brielle Dixon. The Tigers held a 1-0 lead heading into the home half of the second, but Maine-Farmington erupted for five runs — aided in part by a two-run home run by Maddie Pike and a pair of Cobleskill errors.

Neeser was the standout offensive performer for the Tigers in Game One, going 2-for-4 with a double, a triple, and an RBI. She added a run scored and a 1.250 slugging percentage for the game — one of just two Cobleskill hitters to drive in a run on the afternoon.
Cobleskill answered with a run in the fifth when pinch hitter Mackenzie Carver singled and came around to score on an RBI double by Neeser. It was Carver's first plate appearance of the doubleheader, and she made it count.

Starting pitcher Jaydaci Chamberlain was tagged for four runs in just one inning of work before Sam Lawton came on in relief and settled in, going five innings while allowing four runs — two earned — on four hits and three walks. Lawton struck out three and threw 97 pitches. Maine-Farmington's Lisa Truchin went the distance for the Beavers, scattering nine hits while allowing just two earned runs in a complete-game effort.

Game Two: The Tigers came out swinging in the nightcap, posting five runs in the first inning and never looking back en route to a five-inning run-rule victory.

Gabriella Wendelken was the offensive catalyst in Game Two, going 3-for-3 with two RBI and a walk in a standout performance. Her biggest moment came in the fifth inning when she singled through the left side with the bases loaded to score two runs and put the game out of reach. On the season, Wendelken carries a .294 on-base percentage and has driven in 11 runs.

Mackenzie Carver also had a strong Game Two, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored, including a key single in the first inning that kept the rally alive.

The first-inning burst was chaotic and opportunistic, Cobleskill took advantage of three wild pitches, two errors, and a hit-by-pitch off UMF starter Melissa Mayo, who was chased after recording just two outs. Sammy Fausti reached base four times, three walks and a hit-by-pitch, and scored twice. Aliyah Neeser reached on a fielder's choice in the inning and scored as well.

Sam Lawton was dominant in the circle, throwing a complete-game shutout — her first of the year. Lawton allowed just three hits and one walk over five innings, striking out three and throwing 68 pitches, 48 for strikes. She kept UMF off-balance all afternoon, retiring the side in order twice and never allowing a Beaver to advance past second base.

Up Next: The Tigers return to action Tuesday when they host Hartwick College for a doubleheader beginning at 3:00 p.m., with Game Two to follow at 5:00 p.m.