Lauren Payne is Binghamton’s bat-you-can’t-ignore rookie
In the 2026 season, Lauren Payne gave Binghamton immediate lineup punch: a .331 batting average, 12 doubles, 20 RBI, 44 hits, 14 multi-hit games, and four multi-RBI games in 47 appearances/45 starts, while earning America East All-Rookie and All-Tournament honors[1][2][3]. She also delivered in big moments, including a team-best .500 during the conference tournament and a record-tying three doubles against Bryant, which screams extra-base impact and clutch feel rather than empty box-score padding[2][4][5]. Payne looks like a contact hitter with gap power, steady hands, and a knack for rising when the stakes climb—exactly the kind of infield bat a team can plug in and trust[1][2][4].