Softball | 4/19/2009 5:49:09 PM

Click here for game one stats

Click here for game two stats

ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT softball team (13-15, 5-5 Empire 8) moved into sole possession of fourth place in the Empire 8 standings after a doubleheader sweep of Nazareth (12-14, 3-7 Empire 8) on Sunday afternoon. RIT took game one 3-1, and needed extra innings to defeat the Golden Flyers in game two by a score of 5-2.

In game one, RIT starter Carlissa Cole (Alden, NY/Alden) (Alden, NY/Alden) got into trouble in the first inning, loading the bases with just one out. Shortstop Emily McPherson (Pompey, NY/Pompey) (Pompey, NY/Fabius-Pompey) fielded a sharp grounder, but her throw home deflected off of the runner advancing to third, allowing Nazareth's Kelley Horbal to score. Cole rebounded, however, striking out Laura Finan looking to end the inning.

In the third, RIT employed a double steal to tie the game at 1-1 when Michelle Tabisz (Silver Spring, MD/Paint Branch) (Silver Spring, MD/Paint Branch) broke for the plate as Jen Hayden (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) stole second.

The Tigers took their first lead of the day in the 4th inning as McPherson sent the first pitch she saw over the left-center field fence for her team-leading sixth home run of the season. 

RIT extended their lead to 3-1 in the 6th when pinch-runner Brie Raymond (Glenfield, NY/South Lewis) (Glenfield, NY/South Lewis) darted home from third after a wild pitch went to the backstop.

After escaping the first inning jam, Cole settled into a groove and only allowed 2 hits the rest of the way. She picked up the win, surrendering only one run on four hits with three walks and six strikeouts.

Kelly Kocher was effective on the mound for Nazareth, but she was saddled with the loss. Kocher allowed only five hits while walking none, and struck out seven batters.

In game two, both teams were scoreless through the first three innings of play.

RIT had a great chance in the 4th inning to put a run on the board. McPherson led off the inning with a single, advanced to second on a passed ball, then stole third with one out. However, Nazareth hurler Lisa Nazarenko struck out Cole and Jessica French (Springwater, NY/Wayland-Cohocton Central) (Springwater, NY/Wayland-Cohocton) to end the inning.

In the bottom of the inning, with Nazareth's Laura Persico on second base, Tigers' rightfielder Katie Fitzpatrick (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West) (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West) made a superb diving catch to save a run and end the threat.

The score remained 0-0 into the eighth inning. With one out, Allee Emmi (Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) (Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) singled up the middle to score Shannon McCormick (Auburn, NY/Auburn) (Auburn, NY/Auburn) from second and give RIT the 1-0 advantage.

The Tigers rallied with four more runs in the eighth. Catcher Lisa Fronczak (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) doubled home Emmi for her 12th RBI of the season. Cole followed with a triple to right field that scored McPherson and Fronczak, and she was plated on a groundout by French to make it 5-0 Tigers.

Cole gave up a two-out, two-run single to Lizzie Barlow in the bottom of the eighth, but induced a weak grounder back to the mound to end the game. She earned her second win of the day and tenth of the season by striking out six while allowing six hits and three walks.

Nazarenko took the loss for Nazareth, giving up ten hits and five runs while walking none and striking out nine.

RIT leftfielder Jenna Mausolf (Hudson, NY/Hudson) (Hudson, NY/Hudson) celebrated her senior day going 2-for-4 in game two, including her second career triple. McPherson and Cole also went 2-for-4 for the Tigers.

RIT will travel to take on Wells College for a doubleheader on Tuesday beginning at 3:30 p.m.