For most of Saturday, the weather mirrored the way the season has gone for the Binghamton softball team: dark, covered in clouds without a single ray of sunlight.

But in the final inning of Senior Day, the softball gods finally gave the Bearcats a break.

Down 6-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning of Saturday’s nightcap, BU clawed all the way back to take a one-run lead. With the slim advantage, it was up to senior pitcher Katie Hansen — this time in relief — to close the door on Vermont.

And after hours of cloudy skies, a spotlight of sunbeams set the stage for Hansen’s 1-2-3 seventh inning.

Hollywood screenwriters couldn’t have scripted the final series any better. The Bearcats (15-32, 8-13 AE) swept the visiting Catamounts (15-27, 6-15 AE) at the East Gym Complex, with BU winning Saturday’s doubleheader 2-0 and 7-6 before taking the season finale on Sunday 6-3.

“It was a great way to finish the season,” said head coach Holly Brown. “They showed some real heart and desire this weekend. I’m proud of every one of them.”

With the stands packed for Saturday’s Senior Day, Hansen put on a pitching exhibition. She was nearly untouchable in the opener, tossing a four-hit shutout, her third of the season, while striking out a career-high 10 batters. Amazingly, Hansen had enough energy left to earn the win in the nightcap, retiring the final five batters of the game. She would cap off her pitching trifecta on Sunday, striking out eight Catamounts for her 11th victory of the season and third of the series.

The Senior Day victories were also a product of the other three graduating players. Second baseman Nicole Vitello scored the only two runs of the opener, right fielder Lauren Verrusio had a key single in the nightcap comeback and shortstop Rose Barre singled in the game’s winning run.

“After losing so often, it’s great to have a sweep for the final games,” Barre said.

Vitello added that even though all four seniors contributed during the series, the victories were a collective team effort.

“Everyone played well this weekend,” she said.

Although the season did not go as planned, the senior foursome said they have only positive memories of their time as part of the “green-and-black attack” and are glad to end the 2006 season with a bang.

“It’s sad that everything is ending,” Hansen said, smiling from ear-to-ear. “But it’s good to end in good spirits.”

Following the game, the seniors reflected on their careers together at Binghamton.

“Coming in as freshmen, they said it would go by fast,” Verrusio said. “I enjoyed everything. We’ve been through it all. They’re my best friends.”

“I had a great time these past four years,” added Vitello. “I love my girls.”

As for whether the reality of not returning next season has hit them, the seniors’ answers varied. While Verrusio said it set in a week ago, Barre only began to feel it following Sunday’s game.

“I was a little choked up after my at bat [in the sixth inning],” Barre said.

It wasn’t only hugs and tears for the Bearcats following Sunday’s victory, however. They also showed off their dance moves.

Before their usual postgame huddle in right field, BU’s underclassmen danced their hearts out in a semi-choreographed routine to Brown’s favorite song: Pat Benatar’s “All Fired Up.”

If this was any indication, the Bearcats won’t have any chemistry problems next season. But this weekend wasn’t about the future — it was all about the senior class.

And while their coaches and teammates will miss them, it is the Binghamton softball program that will undoubtedly miss the four seniors the most.

“They created a lot of traditions,” Brown said. “It’s going to be hard to replace such a special group.”