CORTLAND, N.Y. - The Cortland softball team split a SUNYAC doubleheader against visiting Fredonia on Senior Day, dropping the opener 10-6 before erupting offensively in a 14-0, five-inning victory in game two at Dragon Field.
 
Cortland moves to 19-12 overall and 10-4 in SUNYAC play with the split, while Fredonia is now 14-20 overall and 8-6 in the conference. Cortland is second in the SUNYAC standings, one game ahead of Oneonta (11-5) and two games ahead of Buffalo State, Fredonia and Oswego (each 8-6).
 
Prior to the start of the doubleheader, Cortland took time to recognize its senior class in a pregame ceremony. Shannon Scotto (Putnam Valley/Lakeland), Kaeli McAnally (Islip), Emily Stavola (Somers), Anj Ferrera (Niskayuna), and Shelby LaMont (Amsterdam) were each celebrated in front of teammates, coaches, family and fans for their commitment to the program over their careers, as well as their impact both on and off the field.
 
Game 1 - Fredonia 10, Cortland 6
 
Fredonia used a fast start and a big sixth inning to hold off Cortland in the opener. Madison Devore set the tone early with a leadoff home run in the first inning. The Blue Devils added three runs in the second, highlighted by a two-run double from Kim Dorane and an RBI double by Devore, to build a 4-0 lead. Fredonia extended the advantage to 6-0 in the third on a two-run single by Brooke Caldwell.
 
Cortland broke through in the fifth inning. Katie Stork (Massapequea) delivered a two-run triple down the right-field line, and Laila Smith (Guilderland) followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 6-3.
Fredonia responded in the sixth with four runs to create separation. Avery Hill hit a two-run double, and Caldwell added a two-run single as the lead grew to 10-3.
 
Cortland mounted another rally in the bottom of the sixth. Kayla Santo (Franklin Square/Valley Stream North) drew a bases-loaded walk, Stork added a sacrifice fly, and Smith drove in a run with a double to bring Cortland within 10-6, but the Red Dragons couldn't get any closer despite loading the bases and having the potential tying run at the plate in the bottom of the seventh.
 
Caldwell finished 3-for-4 with four RBI's for Fredonia, while Devore went 3-for-5 with two RBI's and two runs scored. Hill added two hits and two RBI's. Kendall Phillips earned the win, working five innings and not allowing a hit until Stork's fifth-inning triple.
 
Smith led Cortland by going 2-for-3 with two RBI's, and Stork drove in three runs. Scotto scored twice. Starter Gianna Endieveri (Glens Falls) took the loss after allowing five runs in two innings.
 
Game 2 - Cortland 14, Fredonia 0 (5 inn.)
 
Cortland responded decisively in game two, scoring in each of the first four innings to cruise to a run-rule victory.
 
The Red Dragons struck for five runs in the first inning. McAnally delivered an RBI single, Morgan Ellerbrock (Colonie)  followed with a two-run double, and RBI singles from Kayla Pendergast (West Hempstead) and Sam Pusloskie (Clarence) capped the rally.
 
Cortland added two runs in the second, including an RBI double from LaMont. The Red Dragons broke the game open in the third when LaMont launched a grand slam to center that made it 11-0. Cortland tacked on three more runs in the fourth, highlighted by an RBI double from LaMont and an RBI single by McAnally.
 
LaMont led the offensive outburst, going 3-for-4 with a homer, two doubles, and six RBI's. McAnally finished with two hits and two RBI's, while Ellerbrock drove in three runs. Pusloskie added three hits and an RBI.
 
In the circle, Olivia DiSalvo (Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood) was dominant, allowing four hits over four scoreless innings while striking out five. Sophia Wahl (Schuylerville) finished the shutout with a scoreless fifth inning.
 
Fredonia starter Sabrina Edwards-Smith allowed 11 runs, seven earned, in two innings. Alexa Bogad and Avery Hill each finished 1-for-2.
 
Cortland will face nationally 25th-ranked Rochester at Dragon Field this Tuesday for a non-league doubleheader at 3 p.m.