ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT softball team (8-18) dropped two tight games to SUNY Geneseo (23-7) from sun-drenched Tiger Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. Geneseo, who is the first team receiving votes in the current National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III poll, won game one, 3-1 and took game two, 2-0.
 
In game one, Geneseo would open the scoring with a run in the fourth inning as Angela Van Pelt grounded out, driving in Alexandra Ko, who hit a one-out double and moved to third on a single by Melissa Trio. Ko would drive in Geneseo's second run with her second double in the sixth inning, plating Alyssa Kersch, who led off the frame with a pinch-hit single.
 
Down 2-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning, RIT tried to mount a rally. Raquel Estrada (Middletown, NY/Middletown) slammed a one-out double to left center. The following batter, Erin Guinan (Geneva, NY/Geneva), ripped a shot into the gap in right center field that looked to be extra bases before Geneseo's Van Pelt came across to make a sensational diving catch that not only retired Guinan, but doubled off Estrada to end the threat.
 
Geneseo would push across a key insurance run in the top of the seventh inning, before Hannah Trumble (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Mendon) broke up the shutout in the bottom of the inning, driving in Jennifer Vickery (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville), who pinch ran for Laura Weintraub (Syosset, NY/Syosset), who led off the frame with a single.
 
Ko led the Knights by going 2-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored and run batted in. Alyssa Persich picked up her fifth win of the season on the mound, scattering six hits, while striking out nine batters in the complete-game effort.
 
Estrada had a pair of hits to lead the RIT attack. Torie Adler (West Chester, PA/B. Reed Henderson) pitched will in defeat, allowing eight hits and two runs, while striking out four batters in five innings. Abcde Cortinas (San Antonio, TX/Highlands) pitched the final two innings in relief.
 
In game two, Geneseo's Jasmine Petrishin kept RIT off balance all game, allowing just four hits, while striking out a pair of batters to earn her first win.
 
The Knights took the lead on a solo home run by Katherine Ha in the third inning and made it a 2-0 game on a run-scoring single by Jasmine Petr in the sixth inning.
 
Olivia Doret (Fairfax, VA/Chantilly) had two of RIT's four hits from the leadoff spot in the lineup. Guinan and Weintraub also had hits for the Tigers. Cortinas started on the mound and allowed just the solo homer in three innings. Melissa Gould (Harleysville, PA/Souderton Area) threw three solid innings in relief, allowing a run on three hits, while Adler pitched the final inning.
 
RIT is right back in action on Thursday afternoon with a doubleheader at Liberty League foe Clarkson that gets underway at 3 p.m. RIT was originally supposed to play Clarkson on Friday and St. Lawrence Saturday. The Clarkson doubleheader was moved up due to expected rain this weekend. RIT will now play at St. Lawrence on Monday, April 22.