HONOLULU, Hawaii – The Puget Sound Loggers mounted a late comeback effort but ultimately fell short, dropping a 5-4 decision to SUNY-Oneonta on Saturday at the Maulia Ola Sports Complex. Despite outhitting the Red Dragons 10-4, the Loggers could not overcome early defensive miscues.
SUNY-Oneonta (1-0) capitalized on a two-run first inning, setting the tone early. A throwing error allowed the first run to cross, and a stolen base led to another score. The Red Dragons extended their lead in the fourth, adding two more runs on a clutch single from Kayla Kean, pushing the margin to 4-0.
Puget Sound (0-1) broke through in the fifth inning when Aislind Dail roped an RBI triple, followed by a sacrifice fly from Alyssa Figueroa to cut the deficit to 5-2. The Loggers threatened again in the seventh, with Claire Besancon singling to start the rally. Figueroa followed with a double, setting up an RBI groundout from Katherine Avanzino and an RBI single from Jazzy Allen. However, closer Cadence Brennan shut the door for SUNY-Oneonta, stranding the tying run on base to secure the save.
Figueroa led the Loggers' offense, going 3-for-3 with an RBI and a double. Dail added a triple, an RBI, and a run scored. On the mound, Allison Madia tossed three innings in relief, allowing just one run while striking out one.
Emily Brown (1-0) earned the win for SUNY-Oneonta, pitching four innings and allowing two earned runs. Brennan recorded the final three outs to pick up the save.
In game two, despite a strong defensive showing through six innings, the Loggers were unable to hold off a late rally, falling 6-2 to Emory.
UPS (0-2) found itself in an early deficit when Emory (1-0) capitalized on a second-inning error to take a 1-0 lead. The Loggers limited further damage until the fourth, when Emory tacked on two more runs behind a double from Grace Cooper and an RBI single from Abby Wylie.
The Loggers responded in the fourth with a run of their own. Jazzy Allen led off with a single, stole second, and eventually came around to score on a wild pitch. Puget Sound added another run in the fifth when Rylie Madariaga singled, advanced on a wild pitch, and was driven in by a sacrifice fly from Kylie Tanimura, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
Emory put the game out of reach in the seventh, plating three runs to extend its lead. A pinch-hit RBI single from Ella Janish, followed by a two-run single from Ella Hoyle, sealed the victory for the Eagles.
Puget Sound's offense collected six hits, led by Madariaga, who finished 1-for-1 with a run scored. Allen also contributed a hit and a run. Nyomi Estrada (0-1) took the loss despite a solid outing, allowing three earned runs over six innings while striking out three.
The Loggers return home to take on George Fox next weekend.
