TROY, N.Y. –
Erika Holowka and Taylor Dicranian each hurled complete games for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and Russell Sage College, respectively, in a softball doubleheader split at Doris Robison Field, on Tuesday afternoon. The Engineers, who won Game 1, 8-0, before falling in Game 2, 4-2, are now 5-7, while the Gators move to 3-8 on the year.
In the first game, Holowka allowed just one hit with 10 strikeouts and the Engineers offense produced five runs in the first inning and three in the fourth for an 8-0 5-inning victory.
A senior right hander, Holowka struck out two in the first inning and three in the second before allowing a single in the third inning. She went on to punch-out two in the fourth inning and two in the fifth. Holowka, who struck out eight batters swinging, walked two.
The Engineers got all the runs they needed in the first inning when they plated five – all with two outs.
Gabby Comeau doubled home Jess Torch for the first run and
Liv Vizzini followed with a two-run double of her own. Vizzini came around to score on a Brooke Stroczinski home run.
Erin Askins homered in the fourth inning with no outs to plate three more runs.
Madalyn Ring had the lone hit for Sage, which got 3.0 innings from starter Kadence Schluter. She allowed eight hits and two walks with one strikeout.
In game two Dicranian contributed on both sides of the ball, throwing a 7.0-inning complete game from the circle, while going 2 for 3 with three runs batted in at the plate. She allowed two unearned runs on seven hits, with one strikeout.
RPI got on the board first, when Askins doubled into the right field corner to score Maddie Campagna in the bottom of the first.
Dicranian gave the visitors the lead for good in the top of the third, ripping a double to left center that scored Madalyn Ring and Ariana Papas.
In the visitors' fifth, Papas plated the Gators' third run on a single through the right side of the infield, before Dicranian delivered another double, which scored Papas all the way from first for a 4-1 lead.
The Engineers got one run back in the bottom of the fifth, thanks to a Comeau single that brought home
Jessica Torch.
Comeau finished 4 for 6 on the day, with a double, a runs scored and two RBIs for RPI. Vizzini went 3 for 6 with two doubles and two RBIs.
With their Game 2 victory, the Gators snap a 21-game losing streak to Rensselaer, which dated back to 2001.
The Engineers are back in action on Thursday, when they visit SUNY Oneonta for a doubleheader (3pm). Sage travel to Saratoga Springs to take on Skidmore College on Wednesday (3pm).