May 6, 2005
SUNYAC Softball Tournament Day 3

Fourth seeded Oneonta (21-15) used a one-hitter from Amy Herba (Johnstown/Broadalbin-Perth HS) to upset second seeded Geneseo (23-15), 6-1, and advance to the SUNYAC championship round. The Red Dragons received all of the offense they would need in the bottom of the first inning when Rena Finsmith (Elmsford/Pleasantville HS) led off by drawing a walk, moving to second on a sacrifice by Shannon Egan (Happauge/Happauge HS), and scored on a Michelle Norwich (Mohawk/Mohawk HS) single up the middle. Oneonta added a second run in the frame on an errant throw by Geneseo third baseman Sonia Luchanko (Webster/Webster HS). Geneseo cut the deficit to 2-1 when Christina Marinucci (North Tonawanda/Niagara-Wheatfield HS) scored from third during a rundown that ended the inning. The Red Dragons used three hits and capitalized on three Blue Knight errors to plate four runs in the bottom of the third inning, to seize a 6-1 lead. Herba earned her second win of the tournament, allowing one run and striking out three over six innings. Kacie Cunningham (New Hartford/New Hartford HS) allowed no hits in one scoreless inning of relief for the Red Dragons. Norwich went two-for-three with a run scored and run batted in for Oneonta. Meghan Martin (Wappingers Falls/Arlington HS) and Jamie Llewellyn (Oneonta/Oneonta HS) each had a triple, run scored and RBI. Audrey Kuhn (Balston Lake/Shenendehowa HS) hurled a complete game in suffering the loss for the Blue Knights, allowing six runs on five hits, striking out six and walking three. Kuhn and Jodi Guilboard (Nassau/Columbia HS) each drew a walk for Geneseo.

Oneonta advances to the noon championship round contest against top seeded Cortland, while Geneseo is eliminated from tournament play. Oneonta needs to defeat Cortland twice to win the title.

SUNYAC Championship Game

Nationally 16th-ranked Cortland (31-9) defeated Oneonta (21-16), 8-0 in six innings, to win the 2005 SUNYAC Championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament. The title is Cortland's second in three years, and seventh overall, setting a record for most SUNYAC softball championships (breaking the tie with Brockport at six). Cortland opened the game with a leadoff double from Jamie Neuner (Brewster/Brewster HS). One out later, Dominique Talbot (Rockville Centre/Southside HS) and Shara Evanter (Commack/Commack HS) drew walks to load the bases and Jen Rockwell (Scotia/Scotia HS) drove a RBI single to left field, giving Cortland a 1-0 lead. One batter later, Nicole Fredericks (West Babylon/West Babylon HS) drew a walk to force the second run of the inning in. Cortland scored five runs on five hits in the third inning, highlighted by a three run-blast from Erin Bock (East Hampton/East Hampton HS), to push the lead to 7-0. The final run of the game came on a sacrifice fly from Talbot in the sixth inning. The game ended after six on the eight run-rule. Stephanie Adamshick (Milton/Marlboro HS) picked up her third win of the tournament, allowing just one hit, striking out seven and walking two. Neuner went three-for-four with a double, scored twice, and drove in a run. Amy Herba (Johnstown/Broadalbin-Perth HS) suffered the loss for Oneonta, allowing seven runs over three innings, striking out three and walking three. Kacie Cunningham (New Hartford/New Hartford HS) allowed just one run on one hit over three innings of relief. Michelle Norwich (Mohawk/Mohawk HS) went one-for-three for Oneonta. Her infield single in the first was Oneonta's lone hit.