SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - The Union College softball team hosted Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for a Liberty League doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon at Alexander Field. The Dutchwomen struggled to score in a 7-1 game-one loss to the Engineers, but the bats came alive early in the second game that was halted due to rain.
 
Game 1: RPI 7, Union 1
 
Rensselaer jumped out to a 2-0 lead after half an inning and added one more in the top of the third. The Dutchwomen got one run back in the bottom of the third when sophomore Olivia Valery drew a bases-loaded walk, but Union could not get any more runs across in leaving the bases loaded.
 
The inability to get the key hit was a big factor in Union's loss, as the Dutchwomen left 11 runners on base in seven innings.
 
After Union left the bases loaded, RPI came back in the fourth and scored four runs to put the game away.
 
Sophomore Amanda Granato (1-8) took the loss for Union, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits in 3.1 innings. Junior Rochelle Nuqui pitched well in relief for the Dutchwomen, tossing three scoreless innings.
 
Game 2: Union 8, RPI 1 - Suspended
 
Game two was a completely different story, as the Union offense exploded for eight runs in the first inning.
 
Sophomore Karson Saunders started the rally with a two-run homer to plate classmate Anna Zdunczyk. Senior Makayla Koehler helped her cause with an RBI single, followed by a two-run triple off the bat of junior Julissa Malana. That was followed by three straight run-scoring base hits: a single by sophomore Tara Hartnett, a triple by senior Stuart Buxton, and a single by Zdunczyk.
 
RPI got one run back in the top of the third on an Allie Hunt solo homer as the rain continued to intensify.
 
The game was suspended after the top of the third due to heavy rain. The game will be resumed from the point of suspension at some point next week, with date and time to be announced.
 
Union will return to action this weekend on Saturday, when the Dutchwomen begin their four-game series with Clarkson University with two games in Potsdam beginning at 1 p.m.