CORTLAND, N.Y. – With the promise of warmer weather and the beginning of softball season, the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) is throwing it back to 2008 when the Cortland Red Dragons took down the Buffalo State Bengals to win the SUNYAC Championship title. 

While the Bengals were the first to bring in a run, the Red Dragons were able to come out on top with the help of senior, at the time, Amanda Barnett. In the top of the second, the Bengals were able to hold a 1-0 lead against the Red Dragons.  Cortland would then take this lead head on in the bottom of the third when Barnett hit a two-run homer over the fence in left field, breaking the 1-1 score. This would be her first home run of the season, first hit of the tournament, and what would ultimately clinch the Red Dragons win. 

Buffalo State threatened a come back during the following two innings but was not able to produce anything. This win gave the Red Dragons an automatic berth into the NCAA Division III playoffs where they played Eastern Connecticut State in Plattsburgh for the NCAA Regionals. 

The win gave Coach Julie Lenhart her fifth SUNYAC title, and ninth overall title for the program. With three SUNYAC titles in a row from '15-'17 the Red Dragons have proven themselves and this season they look to defend the title. 

The Red Dragons take the field this Saturday, March 31, for their first SUNYAC competition against Oswego, in Oswego. Game time is 3 p.m.