SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union College softball team's bats came alive on Wednesday afternoon. They registered 30 hits in the doubleheader, as they swept Utica University 11-3, and 13-3 from Alexander Field.

Junior Karson Saunders was great in both games for the Dutchwomen. She went a combined 5-8 with a double, and six RBI, to go along with three runs scored herself. First-year Tatum Perkins went 4-7 with two doubles and four RBIs.

Game One: Union 11, Utica 3 (6 innings)

The Dutchwomen kicked things off scoring their first two batters, and taking a 2-0 lead. Junior Tara Hartnett doubled to start the game off. Classmate Anna Zdunczyk followed up with a double that scored Hartnett. Zdunczyk then scored on a wild pitch.

Utica answered in the bottom of the first with a two-run single to even things up.

In the top of the fourth, Perkins singled to begin the inning, she advanced to third base on a dropped fly ball off the bat of Hartnett. With two outs in the inning and two runs on Saunders singled in both Perkins and Hartnett, regaining the lead for Union. Saunders then stole third base, before junior Olivia Valery singled her in, giving Union a 5-2 lead.

Union doubled their lead in the top of the fifth. After a triple off the bat of first-year Morgan Napier and a walk by Perkins, Hartnett singled in Napier. Zdunczyk singled through the left side of the field, loading the bases for Saunders. Saunders proceeded to double to center field and score Perkins and Hartnett, like she did earlier in the game. Union jumped up 8-2.

The Dutchwomen continued to pour it on the top half of the sixth inning. Boule and junior Amanda Granato reached base. Perkins singled in both Boule and Granato. Junior Samantha Long singled in Perkins, extended the Union lead to 11-2.

Utica would add a run in the bottom of the sixth, before the inning and game concluded. Union won 11-3 in six innings.

Granato (7-4) earned her seventh win from the circle, throwing five innings of work, while allowing three hits, two runs (1 earned) and striking out three batters. First-year Riley Callahan pitched in the sixth inning, and allowed a run on three hits in her effort.

Game Two: Union 13, Utica 3 (6 innings)

Similar to game one, the Dutchwomen opened the scoring in the first frame. Zdunczyk scored Hartnett on a sac bunt. Utica answered with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning, before taking a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second, on an RBI single.

From this point on the Dutchwomen turned things on, scoring 12 unanswered runs over four innings. Zdunczyk singled in the third inning after back to back outs for Union. Saunders then singled to center field, the ball rolled through the fielder's legs and both Zdunzyk and Saunders scored on the error. Union regained the lead 3-2.

The garnett and white doubled up their lead in the fourth inning. Senior Rochelle Nuqui singled and Napier walked to put two runners on base. First-year Kasey Walsh singled to load the bases, before Hartnett scored all runners on a dropped fly ball by the right fielder. Union led 6-2.

In the top of the fifth, Union added two more runs. Saunders singled to lead the inning off. Valery then beat out a throw to first. Napier approached and rocketed a double into right center, scoring both Saunders and Valery.

Union scored five more runs in the sixth inning, extending their lead. The Dutchwomen bats remained hot with three straight doubles from Walsh, Hartnett, and Zdunczyk. Valery singled in Zdunczyk, giving Union a 11-2 lead. Perkins then doubled to right center and scored Boule and Nuqui, giving Union a 13-2 lead. Utica added a run in the bottom of the sixth, before Nuqui struck out her third batter of the inning with the bases loaded.

Nuqui (1-0) earned her first win of the season after entering in the third inning and stopped any sort of comeback effort from the Pioneers. She struck out three batters, while allowing one run on one hit, in four innings of work. Granato started the game and allowed two runs on two hits in two innings.

The Dutchwomen (14-8, 2-6) will continue their eight-game home stand, tomorrow afternoon against Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. First pitch of the double header is at 3:30 p.m. from Alexander Field.