PLATTSBURGH, NY—Buffalo State (28-14) advanced to the SUNYAC Championship game for the first time since 2000, outlasting Brockport (24-14) in a slugfest, 10-6, today at Plattsburgh’s Cardinal Field.

Christina Tschari (Clarence/ Clarence) was 2 for 3 with a double and three RBIs. Jordan Banach (Cheektowaga/ Maryvale) was also 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs, and twin sister Jolene Banach (Cheektowaga/ Maryvale) had a double and two RBIs. Jessica Mooney (Tonawanda/ Kenmore West) was 2 for 4 with a double. Arielle Austin (Smithtown/ Smithtown West) belted her first collegiate homerun, and Courtney Keleher (Tonawanda/ Kenmore West) was 2 for 3. Jenna Frieling (E. Amherst/ Williamsville North) earned the win, despite allowing 11 hits and five runs, three earned, in 5 1/3 innings. Aimee Fisher (Hamburg/ Frontier) threw the final 1 2/3 innings, allowing two hits and one run with three strikeouts.

Buffalo State and Brockport combined to pound out 25 hits in the game. Buffalo State struck first, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Brockport rallied with a four-run third inning, but the Bengals responded with six runs in the bottom of the frame to regain the lead at 9-4. Buffalo State added a final run in the sixth. The Golden Eagles scored a run in the sixth and another in the seventh, but it was not enough to stay alive.

Buffalo State will play Cortland in the title game tomorrow at 12 noon with the winner earning the automatic bid to the NCAA Championships.