The Hamilton College softball team continued spring trip play Monday morning, dropping an 8-5 decision to SUNY Cortland. The Red Dragons, who are ranked 18th in the latest national coaches' poll, rallied for the win with three fifth-inning runs.

Hamilton (0-2) outhit Cortland 8-7 and scored twice in the top of the fifth to take a 5-3 lead. The Continentals brought the tying run to the on-deck circle in the seventh before the Red Dragons (2-1) closed out the win.

Hannah Staab '17 gave Hamilton its first lead with a two-out, two-run double in the top of the fifth. After the Red Dragons retired the first two hitters, Ursula Castiblanco '19 was hit by a pitch and Liz Brautigam '19 followed with a single and Staab's double to right scored both runners.

Cortland responded in the bottom of the inning putting runners on first and second with two outs. Kaleigh Churchill fouled off nine pitches before singling up the middle to cut Hamilton's lead to 5-4. Diane Cork doubled off the right-center field fence to bring home the tying and go-ahead runs.

After Cortland scored twice in the bottom of the sixth, the Continentals threatened in the top of the seventh. Ashleah Yzaguirre '19 walked to lead off the inning and one out later the Red Dragons caught a break when Castiblanco's line drive up the middle struck pitcher Sam Van Dorn in the leg and ricocheted to second baseman Rosie Phillips, who was able to throw Castiblanco out at first. Van Dorn retired the final Hamilton batter to pick up the save.

Cortland scored three times in the first, capped by a two-out, two-run double by Stoddard.

Hamilton pulled to within 3-2 in the third with a pair of unearned runs. Singles by Olivia Gozdz '16, Yzaguirre and Helen Lin '19 loaded the bases to open the inning, then a passed ball and a groundout by Castiblanco brought home two runs.

Brautigam and Gozdz each had two of Hamilton's eight hits.

The Continentals continue their spring trip with an 11:15 a.m. game against SUNY Farmingdale.