Softball | 4/30/2010 5:56:37 PM

Click here for game one stats

Click here for game two stats

PITTSFORD, NY - The RIT softball team (16-18, 5-7 Empire 8) kept its playoff hopes alive after splitting a doubleheader at Nazareth (15-21, 5-9 Empire 8) on Friday afternoon.  The Golden Flyers won game one, 8-0 in five innings, but RIT responded by winning game two, 8-0 in five innings.

RIT can make the Empire 8 Tournament with a pair of wins against Stevens on Saturday, coupled with two losses by Elmira against Ithaca. 

The Tigers scored three runs in the first inning of game two, which was all they needed to earn the win.  The Tigers ripped 12 base hits in game two.

Freshman hurler Brittany Kemp (Dansville, NY/Wayland-Cohocton) was outstanding, allowing just one hit in five innings.  She walked twoand struck out six batters to earn her eighth win of the year.

Emily McPherson (Pompey, NY/Pompey), who set the RIT single-season home record last year with eight, hit her first homer of the season and drove in three runs.  Tori Nadow (Charlton, MA/Shepherd Hill) was 3-for-3 with a pair of runs scored and run batted in for RIT.  Emily Courtney (Berlin, CT/Kingswood-Oxford) was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI, while Shannon McCormick (Auburn, NY/Auburn) was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

The Tigers conclude the regular season by playing a pair of games against Stevens at RIT Field on Saturday at 12 p.m.  Saturday is also the Imagine RIT festival, with 25,000 people expected to attend.