Game 1 Box Score / Game 2 Box Score

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Three pitchers combined to allow just three hits and freshman shortstop Sara Finkbeiner (Napanoch, NY/Ellenville) had four hits, four runs and three runs batted in as the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) softball team opened its 2006 season with a pair of shutout victories. The Red Hawks blanked Eastern Nazarene, 8-0, and Regis (Mass.), 3-0.

In the season opener against Eastern Nazarene, RPI scored four runs in the first inning and three more in the second to take command. Freshman Michelle Street (East Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse-Minoa) earned the win, allowing just two hits with nine strikeouts in five innings while senior Stephanie Vanek (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown) pitched a perfect sixth inning. Finkbeiner was 2 for 3, including a home run, with two runs and three RBI and Julianne Bass (Costa Mesa, CA/Newport Harbor) collected three hits. Beth Gargon (East Hampton, CT/East Hampton) chipped in with a two-run home run.

In the second game, senior Amy Huling (Vienna, VA/Holton-Arms) allowed just one hit with two strikeouts in seven innings from the circle and Finkbeiner was 2 for 2 with two runs scored. Sophomore Courtney Sweeney (Ballston Spa, NY/Ballston Spa) also had two hits with an RBI for the Red Hawks.