SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - First-year pitcher Carra Cleaves struck out six batters while pitching Union's first no-hitter in over a decade and the first by a first year since 2008 as the Garnet Chargers bounced back in game two of Monday's doubleheader against SUNY Potsdam at Alexander Field.
GAME 1: SUNY POTSDAM 13, UNION 7
Sophomore Sam Rose led the offense for a second consecutive game, going 4-for-5 at the plate with two runs scored. First-year Kyla Springer added a 2-for-4 performance with three RBIs and a run scored. Senior Riley Callahan also went 2-for-4, contributing two runs and an RBI, while classmate Melody Kappel went 2-for-4 with a run scored.
SUNY Potsdam opened the scoring in the first inning with an RBI single. Union responded in the bottom half, taking a 3-1 lead. Senior Tatum Perkins drove in Callahan with a sacrifice fly, Rose scored on a wild pitch, and senior Nahnny Sobetzko came home on a single by first-year Amy FitzPatrick.
The Bears got one back in the third and broke out with five runs in the fourth to reclaim the lead at 7-3.
Union narrowed the deficit in the bottom of the fourth as Kappel scored on a Callahan single, and Rose came home on a base hit by Springer to make it 7-5.
Potsdam extended their lead with three more runs in the fifth off a double and two singles, pushing the margin to 11-5.
The Garnet Chargers plated another run in the sixth as Rose scored again on a single by Springer. However, the Bears tacked on two more runs in the top of the seventh to make it 13-6. Union managed one more run but could not complete the comeback, falling 13-7.
GAME 2: UNION 9, SUNY POTSDAM 0
The no-hitter was Cleaves' first of her career and the program's first since Allyson Staats '15 accomplished the feat against Thomas on March 26, 2015. It also marked the first by a Union first-year since Catherine Ferrara threw a perfect game against Southern Vermont on April 12, 2008.
Ten Union players also recorded at least one hit in the win while eight had at least one run as the Garnet Chargers rolled past SUNY Potsdam, 9-0. Junior Ellie Wintringer led the offense with two hits, two runs, and one RBI, followed closely by sophomore Sam Rose, who also tallied two hits and drove in a run. First-year Sammy Fenigstein made a big impact with a hit and a team-high two RBIs, while fellow first-year Riley Jahnle came off the bench with a perfect 1-for-1 performance and scored a run.
Cleaves, sophomore Sophia Burynski, junior Elizabeth Werner, and senior Melody Kappel each contributed a hit and an RBI. Senior Riley Callahan and first-year Kyla Springer each added a hit and scored a run.
Union exploded for seven runs in the first inning. Wintringer and Fenigstein both singled up the middle to drive in Callahan and Springer, respectively. Wintringer then scored on a passed ball, while Cleaves crossed the plate on a fielder's choice.
The inning continued with RBI singles from Werner, Kappel, and Rose, driving in Fenigstein, Burynski, and Werner to give Union a commanding early lead.
The Garnet Chargers added two more runs in the fourth before the game was called after five innings. Cleaves grounded out to drive in Jahnle, and Fenigstein capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly to bring home Wintringer.
Union returns to action tomorrow, Tuesday, for a non-conference doubleheader at Russell Sage College. The first pitches are set for 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm.
