TROY, NY – The Union College softball team recorded 22 hits on its way to sweeping Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in a Liberty League doubleheader, Friday at Doris Robison Field. The Dutchwomen, who won 5-3 and 8-0, improve to 25-4 overall, and stay a perfect 4-0 in league play. The Red Hawks fall to 23-10 on the year, including a 2-4 mark in the conference.
Union manufactured a run in the first inning of game one to take an early lead. Senior
Kelly Owings singled to open the inning and advanced all the way to third on a sacrifice bunt by
Megan Bordino (New Paltz, NY). Owings then scored on a wild pitch.
After a scoreless bottom of the first, the Red Hawks took a brief 2-1 lead in the second. Consecutive two-out singles from seniors Logan Russell and Courtney Sweeney (Ballston Spa, NY/Ballston Spa), combined with a Dutchwomen error, plated the first run. Freshman shortstop Alysa Rochminski (Schenectady, NY/Colonie) then doubled to left to score Sweeney.
The Dutchwomen reclaimed the lead with a two-run third. Owings led off with a single once again, which was followed by a bunt single by Bordino. A line-out and walk loaded the bases for senior catcher
Catherine Kielb (Rensselaer, NY), who drove a two-RBI double to the gap in left-center.
Rochminski tied the game at three with a two-out RBI single in the fourth. With runners on second and third, she hit a ball back through the box, scoring pinch runner Alicia Miksic (Cheswick, PA/Fox Chapel) from third.
Union took back the lead for good in the top of the sixth, when sophomore
Ashley Kovack (Ridgefield, CT) doubled home
Bridget Graham (Orchard Park, NY) with one away. The Dutchwomen tacked on another run in the seventh, and starting pitcher
Ginny Sack (Burnt Hills, NY) escaped the bottom of the inning after the first two RPI batters had reached. Sack allowed three runs on seven hits and walk, in throwing a 7.0 inning complete game. Owings finished game one 2 for 3 with two runs scored, and Kielb went 2 for 3 with two runs batted in.
The Dutchwomen scored four quick runs in the first inning of game two, on their way to a mercy rule shortened win. Owings opened with a leadoff walk, and was followed by three straight hits from Bordino,
Michelle Rogers (Clarence, NY) and
Megan Kaknis (New Windsor, NY), which scored three runs. Kielb capped off the four run inning with a sacrifice fly to center, plating Kaknis.
Union added a run in the third and three more in the sixth to force the mercy rule. From the circle, Sack pitched all 6.0 innings for her second win of the day. Improving to 16-3, she surrendered just three hits and three walks, while striking out three. Rogers and Kaknis each went 3 for 4 with a run and two RBI.
The Red Hawks were led offensively by Rochminski, who finished the day a combined 3 for 5 with a double and two runs batted in. Junior Sara Finkbeiner (Napanoch, NY/Ellenville) went 2 for 4 in game one.
Union plays another Liberty League doubleheader Sunday at St. Lawrence.
