SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Union College softball team dropped both ends of a Liberty League doubleheader to Skidmore College on Thursday afternoon, falling by a 5-4 score in game one and suffering a 5-3 defeat in game two.
 
Sophomores Karson Saunders, Olivia Valery and Anna Zdunczyk all had a team-best three hits on the afternoon, with Valery driving in a team-high two runs for Union (6-18, 6-16 Liberty League)
 
Game 1: Skidmore 5, Union 4
 
Saunders and Zdunczyk both had two hits and an RBI to lead Union in the first game of the day, but the Dutchwomen could not complete a late-game comeback in a 5-4 defeat.
 
Skidmore took an early lead with single runs in the first and second innings, but Union countered with runs in the third and fourth frames to tie the score. Saunders continued her hot hitting of late with an RBI single to score senior Makayla Koehler, while classmate Tara Hartnett finished off a two-out rally in the fourth with a run-scoring single to plate senior Kendall Rogoff.
 
The Thoroughbreds came back with three runs in the bottom of the fourth, however, to regain the lead. The Dutchwomen continued to chip away at the deficit, getting one run in the fifth on a Rogoff RBI single and one in the sixth thanks to a double off the bat of Zdunczyk, but could not get the key hit that would bring them back to even.
 
Sophomore Amanda Granato (1-10) allowed five runs (two earned) on seven hits in four innings to suffer the loss, while senior Catie Raeter pitched two scoreless innings to finish the game.
 
Game 2: Skidmore 5, Union 3
 
A four-run third inning was all Skidmore needed in the second game of the day, as the Dutchwomen got back within a run but could get no closer in a 5-3 loss.
 
Seven different Dutchwomen had a hit in the second game, led by Valery's 2-for-3 effort with two runs batted in. Junior Julia Boule also drove in a run and scored once for the visitors.
 
After two scoreless innings, the Thoroughbreds plated four runs in the third to take a decisive lead. Union responded with three runs in the top of the fourth thanks to a Boule RBI single and a two-run double by Valery, but Meghan Robertson came on in relief with two on and none out to escape the jam and keep the home team in front.
 
Union threatened again in the sixth with two runners on base and one out, but the visitors again could not get the big hit when it was needed.
 
Koehler (4-8) had her personal winning streak snapped with the loss, as she allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits in six innings.
 
Union will close out the season with a four-game series against St. Lawrence University this weekend. The Dutchwomen will celebrate their four graduating seniors on Saturday with Senior Day at Alexander Field beginning at 1 p.m.