Box Score

SCHENECTADY, NY – For the third consecutive year the Union College softball team claimed the ECAC DIII Championship. The top-seeded Dutchwomen went a perfect 3-0 during the tournament and knocked off fourth-seeded RPI, 9-4, in the title game. Senior Bridget Graham was named the tournament's most outstanding player as Union concludes the 2009 season with a 31-6 record.

 

The Dutchwomen eased its way into the championship game with wins against RPI (4-0) and third-seeded Alfred (9-1). After the opening round loss, the Red Hawks earned a spot in the final game with wins against Brockport (3-1) and Alfred (5-2). They finish the season with a 15-14 record.

 

For the tournament Graham batted .462 (6-for-13) with a home run, three RBI, a .692 slugging percentage and a .462 on-base percentage.

 

She led off the title game with a solo home run, sparking a six-run inning for the Dutchwomen. Senior Megan Kaknis added an RBI single three batters later before sophomore DH Alexandra King hit a three-run shot. After RPI produced the first out of the inning, freshman catcher Nina Cervini made is 6-0 with a solo shot.

 

Union added two runs in the second, but RPI responded with a run in the third off the bat of senior outfielder Sara Finkbeiner. The Red Hawks than posted three runs in the fourth with home runs by senior outfielder Julianne Bass and sophomore third baseman Gen Falco.

 

Kaknis scored on an error in the bottom of the fourth to make it 9-4 and the Dutchwomen defense shut the door the rest of the way.

 

Junior pitcher Tiffany Ippoliti threw 4.2 innings, striking out five, before junior Ginni Sack supplied 2.1 innings of hitless relief.

 

RPI used four pitchers in the game and Finkbeiner stood out, whiffing two batters and allowing zero runs in three innings.


NOTE: The Dutchwomen advanced to the championship game with a 9-1 win against Alfred in a game that was suspended in the third inning on Saturday. Play resumed on Sunday and Union mercy ruled the Saxons with a run in the third, five in the fifth and two in the sixth. Ginni Sack earned the win, pitching 6.0 innings and whiffing eight. Bridget Graham (4-for-5), Megan Bordino (2-for-5) and Michelle Rogers (2-for-5) led the way at the plate with two RBI each. BOXSCORE