There is a significant reason why Fulton varsity softball coach Corry Zion says the Raiders could face Phoenix 15 times and the outcome would be decided by one run each time.

The Raiders faced the Firebirds twice in consecutive days and wound up on the losing end both times — by one run.

After edging the Raiders 1-0 in eight innings on Wednesday, the Firebirds one-upped the Raiders again Thursday with a 3-2 victory at the Fulton Athletic Complex.

Phoenix’s Brittany Carbacio snapped a 2-2 tie with what would be a game-winning RBI single in the sixth inning.

“It could have gone either way,” Zion said. “They capitalized when they had runners on. We left a couple of runners on in key situations. If we capitalized, it could have gone our way.”

Firebirds pitcher Jill Murphy, who tossed a three-hitter in the first game between the teams, picked up the win. Fulton pitcher Jessica Palmitesso struck out six in the loss.

“(It’s) unbelievable to beat pitcher of Palmitesso’s quality in back-to-back games,” Phoenix coach Casey Jones said. “Every single game, they’ve played hard. They know how to win.”

Phoenix (13-1) went ahead 2-0 in the top of the first. Jenna Rossi lined a triple to right field, scoring Kassie VanDenburgh. Rossi then scored on a double by Kayleigh Troia.

The Raiders (5-5) got a run back in the bottom of the first. Palmitesso roped a single to left field, scoring Tori Trovato from second base. Trovato had walked and advanced to second on an Alicia Vann single.
F
ulton tied the game in the third. Trovato opened the inning with a triple to center field. She then scored on a groundout by Jackie LoCastro.

After her RBI single in the sixth inning, Carbacio robbed Trovato of a single in bottom of the seventh with a diving catch in the outfield that ended the game.

The Raiders were scheduled to play Jamesville-DeWitt on Friday. They play at Chittenango on Monday at 4:30 p.m.