| 4/19/2008 2:56:59 PM

Click here for game one stats

Click here for game two stats

ROCHESTER, NY - The RIT softball team (15-15, 4-6 Empire 8) had its six-game winning streak snapped by conference foe Nazareth (15-13, 7-3 Empire 8), dropping game one 1-0, and game two, 10-4 on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon at RIT Field.

In game one, the Golden Flyers pushed across an unearned run in the top of the sixth inning to break the scoreless tie.  Laura Persico drove in the winning run on a bloop single to centerfield, scoring Katie Valerio, who reached on an error.

Both pitchers were superb in the opener.  Lisa Nazarenko threw a three-hitter for Nazareth, striking out 12.  Carlissa Cole (Alden, NY/Alden) (Alden, NY/Alden) allowed just two hits for the Tigers, but was saddled with the hard-luck loss.

In game two, RIT, jumped on Nazarenko right away, as the first three runners reached base.  Nazarenko was lifted for Christa Harris, who allowed six hits and two unearned runs in seven innings.

Nazarenko provided the big offensive hit, a three-run home run in the fourth inning to break a 3-3 tie and give Nazareth the lead for good.

Harris was 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.  Laura Persico was 2-for-2 with a double, two runs scored and a run batted in.  Leah Hilliard and Lizzie Barlow each had two hits for the Golden Flyers, who clinch their first Empire 8 playoff berth in the program's history, under former RIT Head Coach Jack Carpenter.

Emily McPherson (Pompey, NY/Fabius-Pompey) (Pompey, NY/Fabius-Pompey) was 3-for-4 with a double and two runs batted in for RIT.   Breana Sniezek (Lewisburg, PA/Lewisburg) (Lewisburg, PA/Lewisburg) was 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Amanda Morehouse (Penn Yan, NY/Penn Yan Academy) (Penn Yan, NY/Penn Yan Academy) scored twice.

Between games one and two, RIT honored its six seniors.  Rachel Richards (Buffalo, NY/Holy Angels Academy) (Buffalo, NY/Holy Angels Academy), Katie Grenga (Syracuse, NY/Christian Brothers Academy) (Syracuse, NY/Christian Brothers Academy), Stephanie Nailos (Pittsfield, MA/Taconic) (Pittsfield, MA/Taconic), Allison Ingalls (Cuba, NY/Cuba-Rushford) (Cuba, NY-Cuba-Rushford), Sniezek and Morehouse were honored between games.

The Tigers travel to Alfred to play the Saxons in a crucial Empire 8 doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.  RIT needs at least one win to have a chance at an Empire 8 berth.