Agape Freedom Sports LLC

WRITTEN BY: JERIC YURKANIN

After an hour trip up to Binghamton from Jessup, Pennsylvania near Scranton Pennsylvania area, to cover the Binghamton Bearcats taking on Albany, the drive itself felt like part of the story.

About halfway there, the highway turned rough — bumpy, full of potholes, and not exactly the kind of ride that makes you feel relaxed heading into game time. But once I arrived, all of that quickly faded into the background.

Because this was a beautiful day for softball.

The sun was out. The weather felt just right. And for a Friday early afternoon game, there was a pretty solid crowd in attendance. Even better, there were some locals in the stands from Archbald, Pennsylvania, and the Valley View Cougars area, there to support a player from their hometown — a cool reminder of just how far the love of softball can travel.

And honestly… who could blame them?

Who doesn’t love softball?

From the very first pitch, you could feel the tension in the air.

Albany came out aggressive in the top of the first and immediately applied pressure, putting two runners on base and making it clear they did not make the trip to Binghamton just to ease into the afternoon. For a moment, you could feel the energy shift — that early-game feeling where one big hit can change everything before fans have even had time to settle into their seats.

But Binghamton never looked rattled.

The Bearcats stayed composed, locked in defensively, and came up with a huge double play that slammed the door on the threat and kept Albany off the scoreboard.

Just like that, the crowd had a reason to get louder. And the Binghamton dugout got louder too — clapping, shouting, and feeding off the energy. They had every reason to.

And just like that, the tone of the afternoon began to take shape.

In the top of the second, that pressure only got heavier.

Albany kept coming.

The Great Danes loaded the bases and put Binghamton in another dangerous spot — the kind of inning where one clean swing can open everything up. But once again, the Bearcats’ defense answered the moment.

Not once, but twice, Binghamton cut down Albany at the plate.

First, Deanna Grahek was thrown out at home on a fielder’s choice — a huge defensive stand. Then, moments later, Kasey Conn was also cut down trying to score. When Sara Anderson reached on another fielder’s choice, Binghamton finished the job by getting Julia Pike out at second.

Bases loaded. Traffic everywhere.

Nothing to show for it.

Top of the second — Albany’s Vanessa Meyers reached on a fielder’s choice, Kasey Conn stole second, Kaitlyn Parisi singled, and both Julia Pike and Sara Anderson reached on fielder’s choices — but Binghamton recorded two massive outs at home and another at second to escape the inning tied 0-0.

And then… the game flipped.

Bottom of the second — Lauren Payne singled to right-center. Emilia Podeszwa came in to pinch run. Emma Lawson reached on a fielder’s choice.

Then came the moment.

Elisa Allen stepped to the plate — and didn’t miss.

She crushed a ball to left-center, sending it over the wall. The Binghamton faithful jumped to their feet. Clapping. Cheering. One fan yelled, “The party’s just getting started… LET’S GO!”

You could feel the energy.

That swing gave the Bearcats a 2-0 lead — and the dugout came alive.

“I was looking to make something happen. I knew everyone had my back, and I wanted to create a spark,” said Binghamton junior catcher Elisa Allen. “We talked about scoring every inning, making something happen, and it worked.”

In the top half, Binghamton’s defense stayed sharp, holding Albany scoreless once again.

“All we talk about is knocking it down and making a good play,” Allen added. “We all have a lot of trust in each other, and everyone on our team is really talented. Big things happen in big situations.”

Bottom of the third — and the Bearcats kept swinging.

After a flyout to right, Rebecca Minnichbach launched one to center field — another home run. 3-0 Binghamton.

Rachel Carey worked a walk. Darien McDonough followed with a single. Maddy Dodig added another hit, and Carey came around to score.

4-0.

The bats were hot. The energy kept building.

It felt like a Good Friday — and for Binghamton, it was.

Top of the fourth — Albany finally broke through.

Kasey Conn walked. Vanessa Meyers doubled. Then Sara Anderson delivered, lining a single to right field that brought home two runs.

Just like that, it was 4-2.

Albany had life.

But Binghamton answered right back.

Bottom of the fourth — Megan Wolf dropped a single down the right field line that hugged the chalk. Akira Kopec reached on an error. A sacrifice bunt moved the runners into scoring position.

Then Rachel Carey came through, lining a two-RBI single down the left field line.

Back to a four-run lead.

6-2.

Top of the fifth — Albany kept fighting.

Mary Kate Murray blasted a home run to left near the scoreboard. 6-3.

Taylor Quinn followed with a triple to right — a diving attempt in the outfield just missed, the ball popping out of the glove.

But Binghamton held the line.

Bottom of the fifth — and once again, Elisa Allen delivered.

Another swing. Another home run — this time to right field.

She was locked in.

7-3.

As the game moved into the sixth inning, Binghamton was in control — but they weren’t done.

In the top half, Olivia Kennedy stepped into the circle and did exactly what you want from a late-inning pitcher protecting a lead — she stayed calm.

A groundout. A single. Another groundout. Routine play to first.

No damage.

Then came the bottom half — and that’s where the Bearcats put it away.

Akira Kopec worked a walk. Rebecca Minnichbach followed with a single.

The pressure was on.

After a pop-up for the first out, Darien McDonough delivered — ripping an RBI double to center field. Kopec scored.

Then Maddy Dodig added a sacrifice fly.

Just like that, it was 9-3.

Not flashy.

Just winning softball.

By the time the seventh inning arrived, the feeling in the park had shifted. Albany needed something — anything.

But Binghamton was already in control.

A strikeout looking opened the inning. A walk gave a brief flicker of hope, but it didn’t last. A groundout to first. Then another routine play to second.

Ballgame.

Afterward, Rebecca Minnichbach reflected on the win and what it could carry into tomorrow.

“This win was amazing — we’re pumped now,” Minnichbach said. “It’s supposed to be beautiful weather for our doubleheader, and we’re excited.”

Clean.

Efficient.

Controlled.

No comeback. No late drama.

Just a statement finish.

From the circle to the plate, Binghamton closed it out the right way — turning early tension into complete control and walking off the field with a convincing 9-3 win.

And when you step back and look at it, this one was won in two places — the defense and the bats.

Binghamton’s defense set the tone early, shutting down multiple Albany scoring threats and refusing to let the Great Danes break through when it mattered most. And at the plate, the Bearcats made those big at-bats count all afternoon.

Binghamton finished with 9 runs on 12 hits, while Albany scored 3 runs on 9 hits. Elisa Allen delivered a huge day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with 3 RBIs and two home runs. Rebecca Minnichbach also went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a home run, while Darien McDonough stayed hot with a 3-for-4 performance and an RBI. Rachel Carey added 2 RBIs, and Maddy Dodig drove in 2 more to help power the Bearcats offense.

In the circle, Savanna McHale picked up the win after throwing 5 innings, allowing 3 runs on 8 hits with 3 walks. Olivia Kennedy closed it out over the final 2 innings, allowing just 1 hit and no runs while helping seal the win.

Albany was led by Sara Anderson, who drove in 2 runs, while Mary Kate Murray added a solo homer. Vanessa Meyers and Deanna Grahek each had doubles, and Taylor Quinn added a triple for the Great Danes.

But in the end, Binghamton’s timely hitting, early defensive stops, and complete team effort were simply too much.

That combination?

That’s how you win games like this.

Tomorrow they have a doubleheader vs Albany, 12pm and 2pm. 

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