ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT softball team (5-15) split a doubleheader for the second straight day on Wednesday afternoon against Medaille College (13-16) at Tiger Stadium. Medaille took game one, 4-1, while RIT salvaged the split with a 4-2 victory in game two.
In game one, Medaille pitcher Nicole Gulisano kept RIT off balance, allowing just two hits, while striking out three batters, needing just 76 pitches for the complete-game seven inning win.
Shaina Bunker was 2-for-4 for the Mavericks with her eighth home run of the season and a pair of RBIs. Kiera Diana was 2-for-4 with a run batted in and stolen base, while Amanda Mesi was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
RIT scored its lone run in the bottom of the first inning, as Mackenzie Martin led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by
Tori Blaker (Corning, NY/Corning-Painted Post West). After
Alexa Farner (Gowanda, NY/Gownanda) reached on an error, moving Martin to second, the duo pulled off a perfect double steal. Farner broke for second and beat the throw, while Martin took off for home and scored.
Despite seven strikeouts,
Sierra Valentine (Rochester, NY/Greece Athena) allowed nine hits and three earned runs for RIT.
In game two,
Sarah Wolcott (Cohocton, NY/Wayland-Cohocton) hit a run-scoring double to right center field in the first inning, scoring
Emily Shoemaker (Rochester, NY/Greece Athena), who walked and stole second base to give RIT a 1-0 lead.
After Medaille responded with a run-scoring double by Lauren Kocher in the second inning, RIT took control with three runs in the fourth inning to go up 4-1.
Emma Sarles (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) led off with a double and moved to third on a groundout.
Kaylee Mathews (South Dayton, NY/Pine Valley) drove in Sarles with a sacrifice fly to give RIT the lead. After
Amber Libby (Waterboro, ME/Massabesic) reached on an error with two outs,
Kelly Meegan (Bristol, NH/Newfound Regional ) singled and the pair were driven in by Martin, who ripped a double to the gap in left field.
Bunker would drive in Morgan Ziemba to complete the scoring in the sixth inning. Bunker was 2-for-3 for the Mavericks with a run scored and run batted in. Amanda Mesi took the loss on the mound, allowing six hits and a pair of earned run.
RIT pitcher
Lauren Mahar (Rotterdam, NY/Schalmont) picked up her second straight win and fourth of the season, allowing seven hits and two runs while striking out four batters in the complete-game win. She threw 99 pitches.
Martin was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs.
RIT leads the all-time series between the two schools, 10-2. It was the first meeting since 2012.
RIT returns to action this weekend with a pair of Liberty League doubleheaders. On Saturday, RIT plays at Skidmore, starting at 1 p.m. RIT heads to Clarkson for a pair of games on Sunday at 1 p.m.
