SCHENECTADY, NY -- Junior pitcher
Tiffany Ippoliti pitched a one hit shutout in the opener and senior first baseman
Megan Kaknis had seven RBIs on the day as Union swept Hamilton, 8-0 and 12-4 in two five inning non-league softball games at Alexander Field Tuesday. The Dutchwomen improved to 19-5 while the Continentals fell to 5-24.
Ippoliti allowed just an infield single in the first inning and struck out four. After the Hamilton leadoff batter reached on an error, and Ashley White (Buffalo, NY) reached on an infield single, Ippoliti retired the next 15 batters she faced. She is now 6-2 on the season.
Union jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning of the opener on RBI singles by
Becky Gronczniak and Kaknis.
Ashley Kovack had a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0 in the third. After
Michelle Rogers doubled to lead off the fifth, Kaknis drove her home with an RBI single. After a walk, Kovack had a two-run double to center and it was 6-0.
Callee Heywood reached on a fielder's choice and
Megan Bordino walked. A wild pitch brought in Kovack for the seventh run and
Diana Polli singled home Heywood for the eighth run and lead that ended the contest.
Hamilton starter Megan Coughlin (Clifton Park, NY) took the loss with nine hits allowed in four innings. Kovack had three RBIs while Rogers, Kaknis and
Bridget Graham each had two Union hits.
Kaknis hit a three run homer in the first inning of the nightcap, her fifth of the season, a shot to straightaway center. After Amber O'Connor (Pembroke, Ontario) had an RBI single to put Hamilton on the board in the third, Union scored four in the third featuring a two run double by
Lucia Reed and RBI hits by
Nina Cervini and
Kaitlin Graham. The Continentals scored three unearned runs in the fourth, but Union got two back for a 9-4 lead featuring RBI hits by Cervini and Reed. Kaknis finished with five RBIs and three hits in the second game, as Union had 15 hits in the contest.
The Dutchwomen made it 10-4 on an RBI single by Rogers with the bases loaded. Kaknis then ended the game with a two-run double for the 12-4 final.
Lindsay Colvin improved to 4-1 with a five hitter, while striking out four. Hamilton's Mandy Hyne (Weatogue, CT) took the complete game loss.
Union is at New Paltz Thursday before returning home for a Liberty League doubleheader vs. Skidmore Saturday at 1 p.m.
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
