VESTAL, New York — Junior left-hander Erin Bogdanovich fired a six-hit shutout on Friday afternoon to lead the No. 2 University of Maine to a 3-0 victory over No. 1 Binghamton in second round of the the America East softball tournament at Binghamton University.
Coach Mike Coutts’ Black Bears (27-19) advance to the championship round of the tournament and will play at a time to be determined on Saturday or Sunday in the double-elimination event.
Bogdanovich (9-4) recorded her fourth shutout of the season, striking out three and walking one, as UMaine earned the program’s first berth in the league championship round since 2004.
Albany eliminated Stony Brook 9-7 in Friday’s first elimination game and the Great Danes take on host Binghamton (34-14) in another elimination game on Saturday. The winner of that contest advances to the championship round against UMaine.
The schedule has been altered due to rain.
Freshman Alyssa Derrick paced the Black Bears offense with a two-run double and Meghan Royle singled twice among seven hits.
Jessica Rutherford and Lisa Cadogan stroked two singles each to lead the Bearcats.
UMaine scored all of its runs in the first inning against Binghamton’s Sarah Miller (15-7). Erica Leonard worked a leadoff walk and moved up on a Rachel Carlson single.
Janelle Bouchard reached on an error, but Leonard was cut down trying to score.
The Black Bears scored their first run when Rachel Harvey struck out but Carlson came home on a passed ball. After another passed ball, Felicia Lennon walked, setting the stage for Derrick’s double down the right-field line.
Binghamton’s best threat came in the top of the third inning. Gabby Bracchi drew a one-out walk, then Stephanie Bielec and Rutherford stroked back-to-back singles to load the bases.
Cadogan grounded into a fielder’s choice on which Bracchi was nabbed at the plate, then Bogdanovich retired Taylor Chaffee on a line-out back to the circle to snuff out the uprising.
Maine escaped the jam when first baseman Kristen Niland threw out a runner at home before a liner right back at Bogdanovich was snared by the pitcher, ending the threat.