The Binghamton softball team opened its season with a 2-3 finish at the Mary Nutter Classic Tournament over the weekend in Cathedral City, California. Despite dropping three games, the Bearcats (2-3) utilized their depth and were able to overcome late deficits in both of their victories, two characteristics which helped them earn the America East (AE) title in 2015.

Both of BU’s wins came in dramatic fashion, both 9-8 victories in the bottom of the seventh inning. On Friday against the University of the Pacific (5-5), the Bearcats rallied back from a 4-0 deficit over the course of the first three innings before senior infielder Taylor Chaffee blasted a two-run double down the left field line to even the score. BU traded blows with the Tigers until the top of the seventh, when Pacific scored on an RBI single by sophomore catcher Rachel Sellers and a two-run triple from junior utility player Haylee Moran-Rowen.

The Tigers’ big half inning set the table for Binghamton’s come-from-behind win; just one out away from a frustrating 8-7 loss, senior right fielder Sydney Harbaugh hit an infield single that drove sophomore infielder Kate Richard home. One batter later, sophomore outfielder Jessica Rutherford, who went 3-5 in the contest, smashed the game-winning single to left field.

“I think that confidence [to come back in a game] is something that we brought over from last year,” Binghamton head coach Michelle Burrell said. “We tend to score more later in games.”

BU’s second 9-8 win of the tournament came on Saturday night against Loyola Marymount. Down, 8-7, in the bottom of the sixth inning, Rutherford tied it at eight thanks to an RBI double. Richard singled through the left side to drive in sophomore infielder Stephanie Bielec and secure Binghamton’s second victory of the weekend.

“I think the two games we won we saw really good team efforts and we were able to get deep into our bench with pinch hitters and pinch runners,” Burrell said. “That entire team effort is going to be something we try to continue and develop as the season goes on.”

Prior to its victory over Pacific on Friday, Binghamton was defeated, 2-0, by UC Santa Barbara (4-6). The Bearcats were held to just four hits by an impressive performance from freshman pitcher Lena Mayer.

“Even though we didn’t score any runs, I thought that we hit the ball hard and better as the game went on but, [we] just couldn’t find any holes,” Burrell said.

Sophomore pitcher Sarah Miller, who was named the Most Outstanding Player at the 2015 AE Tournament, limited UCSB to just two runs in a complete-game effort but still took the loss.

Before edging out Loyola Marymount on Saturday night, the Bearcats were defeated, 12-5, by the Razorbacks (5-5). Arkansas scored in every inning but one and racked up 11 hits and three home runs.

Entering Sunday’s game against Utah Valley (4-6), Binghamton sought to end the trip with a winning record. It seemed as though BU would do just that as it carried a 3-0 lead into the fifth inning. This time, however, it was the opposition that successfully mounted the late-game comeback, as the Wolverines exploded for five runs in the bottom of the frame. Senior catcher Lisa Cadogan cut the deficit in half with an RBI groundout to shortstop in the top of the seventh. The potential game-tying run in Rutherford was stranded at third when sophomore infielder Tia Smith struck out looking.

Binghamton is set to return to the field this Friday for the James Madison Tournament. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. from Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park in Harrisonburg, Virginia.