ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The RIT Softball team earned a Liberty League split with visiting Ithaca, Sunday, bouncing back from a 4-2 setback in the opener with a 4-3 win in the nine-inning game-two.
ITHACA 4, RIT 2
- Ithaca jumped out to a 2-0 first-inning lead, loading the bases and scoring on a wild pitch and a Tiger throwing error.
- RIT got one back in the bottom of the second after first-year Taryn Jones reached on a lead-off infield single and came around on a Ithaca throwing error after sophomore Madeleine Barstow moved her to second with a sacrifice bunt.
- The Tigers tied the game in the bottom of the third after sophomores Carlianna Ewing and Kate Carlone reached on back-to-back singles. Barstow later plated Ewing with a two-out single to right center.
- Ithaca scored what proved to be the deciding runs in the top of the fifth, bringing a run around on a Tiger error and another on an RBI by Kailen Winkelblech.
- RIT loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh with two outs, but was held scoreless.
- Sophomore starter Addison Hill took the complete game loss, allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits and four walk while striking out two.
RIT 4, ITHACA 3 (9 INN.)
- Sophomore Madison Passineau notched a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning as RIT defeated Ithaca for the first time since earning a 1-0 victory in an Empire 8 Tournament elimination game in 2011.
- Senior Jessica Majot earned the complete game victory, allowing three runs (one earned) on six hits and five walks while striking out five.
- Ithaca plated an unearned run in the top of the first and scored twice in the top of the second for an early 3-0 lead.
- Ithaca starter Maddie Collins held the Tigers hitless through five innings before surrendering three runs in the sixth. Ewing and Carlone logged back-to-back singles to lead off the rally before Jones drew a walk to load the bases. White followed with a ground ball to third that plated Ewing before Ewing and Carlone also came home on a Bomber throwing error to tie the game, 3-3.
- The teams were scoreless until the bottom of the ninth. White started the inning by drawing a four-pitch walk and, after advancing to second on an Ithaca throwing error during a sacrifice bunt attempt by junior Maria Minemier, stole third. Passineau followed with a single to right to plate White with the deciding run.
WHAT'S NEXT
Despite the split, RIT was eliminated from postseason play. The Tigers will close the season with a home doubleheader versus Nazareth this Tuesday (Apr. 28) at 3:00 p.m. before heading to Keuka on Wednesday (Apr. 29) for a 3:00 p.m. twin bill. RIT will host Union next Saturday (May 2) for a Liberty League doubleheader at 1:00 p.m. in the final games of the spring.