SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The offense and defense was excellent for the Union College softball team, who earned a sweep over Liberty League foe Clarkson University on Friday afternoon from Alexander Field. Union (13-15, 5-5 Liberty League) earned two huge conference wins, 2-1 and 8-2.

Sophomore Nahnny Sobetzko went 3-6 in the two games and tallied two RBI and two runs scored. Senior Olivia Valery added four hits on the afternoon, to go along with two RBI.

Game One: Union College 2, Clarkson 1

All three of the game's runs were scored in the first two innings of game one. Clarkson opened the scoring the top of the first off a single through the right side to grab an early 1-0 lead.

Union responded with a run of their own in the bottom half of the first inning to even the score at 1-1. Senior Karson Saunders earned a walk with two outs. She then stole second base to put herself in scoring position for Valery, who singled and scored Saunders to even the score at 1-1.

In the top of the second inning the Golden Knights continued where they left off with a double to right center and then a single to put runners on first and third. With no outs, Clarkson's Kaya Johnson lifted a fly ball to centerfield, Saunders caught the ball and then fired a strike from centerfield on a line to Sobetzko, who made the tag on the runner looking to score for the double play and preventing a run. The game remained tied, 1-1 after the top of the second.
Sophomore Melody Kappel singled up the middle to start off the bottom of the second inning. She then advanced to second and to third on back-to-back wild pitches. Senior Amanda Granato helped herself out in the circle with a single through the left side that scored Kappel with two outs in the inning.

Both Granato and Clarkson's Riley Page dueled for the remainder of the game with neither team really being able to find much momentum for the remainder of the game. Union won game one 2-1.

Granato (5-7) was excellent on the mound, earning her fifth win of the season. She allowed eight hits, but threw a complete game and only allowed one run, while striking out one batter in the win.

Game Two: Union College 8, Clarkson 2

Similar to game one, the Golden Knights jumped out to 1-0 lead with three hits in the opening frame with two outs. Union trailed 1-0 after the first inning.

Union pulled even in the bottom of the second inning. Sobetzko kept the inning alive with a two-out single. Sophomore Tatum Perkins reached on an error at second, leading to runners on first and second. Starting pitcher Autumn Duff helped pull the team even with a single up the middle. The Golden Knights grabbed another run to retake the lead, 2-1 in the top of the third.

Union exploded in the bottom of the third inning. Singles from Granato and Saunders put two runners on base, and Sobetzko tallied another big hit with a single to centerfield to score both runner. Perkins then kept the inning alive with a two-out triple to right field that scored Sobetzko, making it 5-2 Union. Perkins then scored on a wild pitch, making it 6-2 Union after three innings.

Union continued to score in the fourth inning. Senior Tara Hartnett reached first after a field error on the shortstop. Saunders singled through the right side and pushed Hartnett to second. Valery followed Saunders with a single of her own that scored Hartnett. Saunders scored on a wild pitch, giving Union a 8-2 lead. Neither team was able to score for the remainder of the game and Union earned a sweep over Clarkson.

Duff (4-4) earned her fourth win of the season with a complete game. She struck out two batters and allowed two runs in the win for Union.

Union will continue their push to the Liberty League postseason with a doubleheader against St. Lawrence on Sunday afternoon from Alexander Field. Game one starts at 1 p.m.