FORT MYERS, FL – The RIT softball team (2-2) split a pair of games for the second consecutive day at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic on Sunday. RIT rolled to a 19-2 win over Blackburn College (2-1), before losing to Martin Luther College (4-6), 6-4.
RIT exploded for seven first inning runs, six in the third inning and four more in the fourth inning to cruise to the win over Blackburn.
Sarina Alexander (Jamesville, NY/Jamesville-DeWitt) crushed a grand slam in the top of the first inning, while
Erin Guinan (Geneva, NY/Geneva) hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning. Overall, RIT had 15 hits and eight walks.
All nine starters scored at least one run, while eight recorded at least one hit. Guinan would go 4-for-5 with three runs scored and a career-high six RBI. Alexander scored twice and drove in four runs, while
Danielle Hotz (Drexel Hill, PA/Upper Darby) scored three times, had two hits and two walks.
Jennifer Vickery (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville) was 2-for-4 with three runs scored and a pair of RBI.
Olivia Doret (Fairfax, VA/Chantilly) and
Brianna Bilich (Penryn, CA/Del Oro) scored two runs apiece. Seniors
Laura Weintraub (Syosset, NY/Syosset) and
Sarah Thayer (Tully, NY/Fabius-Pompey) scored and drove in a run.
Torie Adler (West Chester, PA/B. Reed Henderson) earned the complete-game win, allowing three hits and two runs (one earned), while striking out five batters for her second victory.
In the second game, RIT fell behind 6-0 before scoring four runs, all with two outs in the top of the seventh inning to nearly pull off an incredible rally.
Sara Pasternack (Alden, NY/Alden) doubled in
Raquel Estrada (Middletown, NY/Middletown) and
Jill Vorreiter (Fisherville, KY/Mercy Academy of Louisville) followed with a two-run single to make it 6-3.
Julia Vaillancourt (Braintree, MA/Braintree) reached on an error to make it 6-4. With the winning run at the plate, a fly out to right field would end the game.
Elena Hoffman homered and drove in three runs for Martin Luther.
The Tigers are right back in action on Monday morning against Curry College at 9 a.m. and Rockford University at 11 a.m. from North Collier Regional Park #4.