SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - Union dropped two hard fought battles Sunday afternoon in the home opener doubleheader against SUNY Cobleskill at Alexander Field.
Game One: Cobleskill 12, Union 9
Cobleskill took an early lead, driving in a run in the first inning. Aliyah Neeser singled to bring in Jenna Smyczynski, giving Cobleskill a quick 1-0 advantage.
Cobleskill followed with a four-run second inning. Kylie Rattigan hit a sacrifice fly to score Brook Irizarry, and a Union fielding error allowed Brielle Dixon to cross the plate. Gabriella Wendelken doubled to drive in Smyczynski, and Neeser followed with another double, scoring Wendelken.
Union responded in the third. Kappel reached on a bunt single, and first-year Kyla Springer followed with a single to move Kappel to second. Senior Tatum Perkins drove in Kappel with a single, and junior Elizabeth Werner brought in Springer with another base hit.
In the fifth, Union tacked on three more runs to tie the game at six. Springer singled to center, followed by a Perkins single to move her to second. Werner doubled, scoring both Springer and Perkins. Ewald entered as a pinch runner for Werner and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Senior Nahnny Sobetzko then doubled to score Ewald. First-year FitzPatrick came through with a clutch single to bring home Sobetzko.
Cobleskill regained the lead in the top of the sixth on a fielder's choice, making the score 7-6, but Union tied it up in the bottom half. Sophomore Sam Rose led off with a bunt single and advanced to second on a walk. A fielder's choice moved her to third, and she scored on a muffed throw by the first baseman.
With no additional runs in the seventh, the game headed to extra innings.
Smyczynski was placed on second to begin the eighth. A sacrifice bunt moved her to third, and a walk allowed her to score. Neeser followed with a single to drive in Mackenzie Wendelken, giving Cobleskill a two-run edge.
Union answered in the bottom of the eighth. First-year Riley Callahan started on second and was driven in by a single from first-year Carra Cleaves. Perkins then doubled; scoring Cleaves to tie it again.
Cobleskill pulled ahead for good in the ninth scoring three runs. Dixon began the inning in the second, and Mackenzie Wendelken doubled to drive in both Dixon and Kailee DiGiacco. Gianna Wendelken then sacrifice flied to score in Rattigan for their 12th and final run of the game.
The Garnet Chargers had one last chance in the bottom of the ninth. Perkins began on second but after two Union fly outs and a strikeout sealed the Cobleskill victory.
Senior Autum Duff pitched three innings for the Garnet Chargers, striking out one while allowing seven runs, three earned. First-year Carra Cleaves (3-5) finished the next six innings, striking out seven while allowing five runs, three earned.
Game Two: Cobleskill 4, Union 3
After a scoreless first two innings, Cobleskill was the first to get on the board. A single through left field by Avery Prievo drove in Gabriella Wendelken for the 1-0 lead.
Union responded in the bottom of the third, plating two runs. Sophomore Sam Rose led off with a single and stole second. First-year Amy FitzPatrick followed with a double to bring Rose home. Shortly after, senior Tatum Perkins singled to drive in FitzPatrick, giving Union a 2-1 edge.
The Garnet Chargers extended their lead in the fourth inning. Sophomore Sophia Burynski led off with a single and later scored on a single through the left side by Rose, making it 3-1.
However, Cobleskill rallied late, scoring three runs to complete the comeback and to secure the 4-3 victory. Back-to-back singles drove in Madelynn Orosz and Wendelken, and a sacrifice fly brought in Aliyah Neeser for the go-ahead run.
Senior pitcher Melody Kappel (1-7) struck out one while allowing 10 hits and four earned runs.
The Garnet Chargers return to conference play tomorrow, Monday, for a doubleheader at Skidmore College. The first pitches are set for 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm.
