ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Junior
Karson Saunders' two home runs helped the Union College softball team to a weekend sweep of Liberty League opponent RIT on Saturday afternoon. The Dutchwomen won game one 4-2 and game two 5-1 for their first wins against a conference opponent this season.
Saunders went 4-for-7 on the day with two home runs and four RBIs in the double header. Classmate
Tara Hartnett was 4-for-8 on the afternoon including a double.
Game One: Union 4, RIT 2
After a lead off double from Hartnett in the top of the first inning, Saunders approached with one out and blasted her fifth home run of the season, giving Union a 2-0 lead after the first.
The Tigers answered back in the bottom of the second without a hit, as a leadoff walk and some defensive miscues cut the Union lead in half.
In the top half of the third, Saunders launched her second home run in as many at bats to put Union back up by two. Union added their fourth run of the game in the top of the fourth, after first-year
Nahnny Sobetzko scored senior
Julia Boule on a sac fly.
RIT cut into the Union lead once again in the bottom half of the fourth inning, scoring on a sac bunt, but the Tigers could get no closer.
First-year
Jessie Rooney (6-4) had an excellent game in the circle, stopping the Dutchwomen's three-game skid with a complete-game one-hitter. She fanned seven batters and allowed two runs (both unearned) in the win.
Game Two: Union 5, RIT 1
Just like in game one Union started the top of the first off with a double to left center off the bat of junior
Amanda Granato. Saunders followed up with a single to center to Union a 1-0 lead.
In the top half of the third inning, the Dutchwomen provided themselves with some breathing room. After two singles and a walk loaded the bases, Boule flew out to right field and scored Hartnett from third. First-year
Faith Hughes then singled to right center and scored both Saunders and classmate
Olivia Valery, giving Union a 4-0 lead.
The Tigers ended Granato's shutout bid in the fourth inning, after scoring on an error. Union added their fifth and final run of the game in the sixth inning, as first-year
Tatum Perkins scored on a ground ball off the bat of Granato.
Granato (6-4) tossed a complete game, striking out two and allowing one unearned run in the win for Union.
Union (12-8, 2-6) will stay on the road when they travel to Utica University to take on the Pioneers for a Wednesday, April 20, double header. Game one begins at 3 p.m.
