SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – The RIT softball team (4-10, 1-1 Liberty League) opened Liberty League play by splitting a pair of games at Skidmore College (13-11, 1-3 Liberty League) on Friday afternoon. Skidmore won game one, 4-0, while RIT took game two, 4-2.
In game one, Skidmore scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and two more in the fifth. RIT could not solve starter Amanda Carilli, who allowed just two hits, while striking out two batters for her 10th win of the season.
Sarah Thayer (Tully, NY/Fabius-Pompey) hit a one out single in the second inning and
Samm Carroll (Woodbridge, NJ/Woodbridge) hit a leadoff double in the sixth for RIT.
Lauren Mahar (Rotterdam, NY/Schalmont) took the loss on the mound for the Tigers, allowing six hits and four runs in 4 1/3 innings.
Melissa Gould (Harleysville, PA/Souderton Area) pitched 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.
Karly Fishkin went 2-for-3 with a double, while Kristina Foley was 2-for-2 with a walk, run scored and run batted in to lead the Thoroughbreds.
In game two, Skidmore pushed a run across in each of the first two innings before RIT fought back.
Laura Weintraub (Syosset, NY/Syosset) hit her second home run of the season to center field with one out in the fourth inning to make it 2-1. In the fifth,
Danielle Hotz (Drexel Hill, PA/Upper Darby) singled, moved to third on a single by Carroll and scored on an error to tie the game at 2-2.
The Tigers gained the lead for good in the top of the seventh inning, as Carroll led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by
Raquel Estrada (Middletown, NY/Middletown).
Erin Guinan (Geneva, NY/Geneva) was walked intentionally, giving RIT runners on first and second with one out. After a flyout, Weintraub reached on an error, allowing Carroll to score to go-ahead run,
Madisen Baldwin (Washougal, WA/Washougal) followed with a single that scored Guinan to make it 4-2.
Mahar came on in relief of starter
Torie Adler (West Chester, PA/B. Reed Henderson) and kept the Thoroughbreds off the board, allowing just one hit, while striking out four batters in three innings. Adler allowed three hits and two runs over the first four innings.
Guinan walked three times, including intentional passes in the fifth and seventh innings. Carroll was 3-for-4 with a run scored, while Hotz had two hits and scored a run.
Carilli took the loss for Skidmore, allowing nine hits and four runs (one earned), while going the distance for the second straight game.
RIT leads the all-time series between the two schools, 21-12.
RIT is right back in action Saturday afternoon with a doubleheader against Liberty League foe Rensselaer at 1 p.m.
