CLERMONT, Fla. – The Union College softball team dropped a pair of games at day three of the NTC Spring Games, falling to Lewis & Clark, 8-2, and Hamilton, 2-1, Monday.
  
Game One: Lewis & Clark 8, Union 2
 
Union fell behind early in the first game of the day and never recovered, falling by an 8-2 score to the Pioneers. Sophomore Stuart Buxton had a good game at the top of the order for the Dutchwomen, going 3-for-4 and scoring both Union runs.
 
The Dutchwomen did not get a chance to get into the game, as the first six batters of the game reached for Lewis & Clark and five crossed home plate to put the Pioneers up 5-0 after half an inning. Sophomore Makayla Koehler broke up the shutout bid with an RBI single in the fifth inning, while senior Kim Puzo added an RBI groundout in the bottom of the seventh.
 
Senior Dana Dolinko suffered the loss for Union, allowing five runs (four earned) on three hits. Koehler had an effective outing in relief, striking out seven batters in seven innings of work.
 
Game Two: Hamilton 2, Union 1
 
The Dutchwomen had only four hits against Hamilton pitcher Claire O'Brien in game two, as a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning proved the difference and sealed a 2-1 win for the Continentals.
 
Hamilton took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Victoria Dunn scored on a wild pitch. Union scored their lone run of the game in the top of the fifth, when a sacrifice bunt by Julissa Malana led to an errant throw attempting to get freshman Lindsey Podlaski at third base.
 
But the Continentals struck back for the go-ahead run in the next frame, when a hit batter to lead off the inning eventually resulted in a sacrifice fly that proved to be the difference.
 
Koehler allowed one run in four innings but did not receive a decision, while sophomore Catie Raeter took the loss after allowing one run in two frames.
 
After a day off from competition, Union will return to action on Wednesday with games against Kalamazoo and Thomas.