SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union College softball team's offense exploded, scoring 28 runs in a two-game sweep of SUNY Cobleskill on their home opener from Alexander Field on Wednesday afternoon. The Dutchwomen saw 11 batters register an RBI in game one's 17-0 win and the most runs scored in a win since 2008. In game two Union topped Cobleskill 11-3 to grab two wins.

Seniors Olivia Valery and Karson Saunders each hit a home run in the win and they combined for 7-9 with 12 RBIs. Valery went 3-4 in the two games with 7 RBIs, a home run and a double. Saunders on the other hand went 4-5 with 5 RBIs, a home run, and 5 runs scored.

Game One: Union 17, Cobleskill 0 (5 innings)

After a quick top half of the first for senior Amanda Granato, Union (3-7) grabbed an early lead in the bottom of the first. Classmate Tara Hartnett drew a walk to open the frame and Saunders reached first a passed ball. Valery then hit a three-run home run to left field to give Union a 3-0 lead.
The garnet and white blew open the game in the bottom of the third inning, scoring eight runs on eight hits, including batting around the order. Senior Anna Zdunczyk opened the action with a double to center and Saunders belted a 2-run shot over the left field batting cage to give Union a 5-0 lead. Valery and first-year Ellie Wintringer walked while sophomore Nahnny Sobetzko loaded the bases with a single. Granato helped her own cause with a single to left field, scoring Valery and Wintringer. A single by sophomore Melody Kappel, a double by Hartnett, and back-to-back base hits from Zdunczyk and Saunders each plated one run each in the frame. Union 11-0 after three innings of play.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Dutchwomen added six more runs to lead 17-0 after four innings of play. After sophomore Kasey Walsh was hit by a pitch, classmate Riley Callahan singled up the middle. Tatum Perkins then doubled down the left field line, scoring Walsh. Kappel singled up the middle and scored Callahan for her second RBI of the afternoon.

First-year Elizabeth Werner singled up the middle, scoring Perkins from third. Classmate Riley Jahnle walked to load the bases in the fourth inning. Sophomore Autumn Duff singled down the left field line, scoring Kappel in the process. Senior Hannah Mitchell singled to center field and scored Werner. Walsh then scored Jahnle on a ground out as the inning came to an end.

The Fighting Tigers were unable to score in the top of the fifth and Union won 17-0 in five innings. Granato (1-3) earned her first win of the season tossing four shut out innings, while stiking out six and walking three. Callahan came in for relief in the fifth inning and struck out one, while allowing one hit in one inning.

Game Two: Union 11, Cobleskill 3 (5 innings)

In game 2 the Fighting Tigers (2-8) grabbed an early 1-0 lead on a single through the left side. Union regained the lead with a three-run bottom of the first. Following a single from Hartnett and a walk from Callahan, Saunders batted and singled past the shortstop, scoring Hartnett from second. Valery then batted and doubled down the left field line, scoring both Callahan and Saunders, giving Union a 3-1 lead.

In the bottom of the second inning, Union plated four more runs. Back to back walks by Hartnett and Callahan, put Saunders back up to bat. She singled in Hartnett from second to increase the lead. Valery Walked to load the bases. Wintringer scored Callahan with a sac fly to the left fielder. Sobetzko then singled in Saunders and Valery giving Union a 7-1 lead.

Cobleskill earned a run back on a double of their own to cut the lead to 7-2. Union added three more runs in the third inning on two hits. Valery singled and scored Hartnett and Callahan. Wintringer then singled in Saunders pushing the lead to 10-2.

The Fighting Tigers scored their third run of the game off a double to left field. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Union scored their 11th run off two walks and a single. Werner walked in the final run of the game to give Union a 11-3 win over Cobleskill.

Duff (2-3) earned her second win in relief, throwing two solid innings and striking out two batters and allowing two hits. Kappel earned a no decision, throwing three innings and striking out four batters.

Union (3-7) will look to continue their winning ways when they welcome Utica University to Alexander Field for a doubleheader on Saturday, April 1. Game 1 is set to begin at 1 p.m.