Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Oneonta, N.Y. - Taylor and Morgan Ten Eyck combined to go 5 for 7 with two runs and six RBI to lead the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) to an 8-2 win in the opening game of a softball doubleheader with SUNY Oneonta on a cold, blustery afternoon on Red Dragon softball field today. The Red Dragons won the second game in exciting fashion, 4-3.

The Engineers scored three times in the first inning of the day, highlighted by back-to-back doubles by the Ten Eyck twins that scored one run each. The Red Dragons answered with two more, but Kristina Weltzin shut the home team down from that point on. 

A three-run fifth inning, which featured RBI from Morgan Kollmeier (single), Taylor (sac fly) and Morgan (single) made it a 6-2 advantage and a two-run home run by Taylor in the seventh inning capped the scoring. Taylor was 2 for 3 with two runs and four RBI, while Morgan was 3 for 4 with two runs knocked in. Weltzin allowed six hits and two earned runs while striking out nine batters for her seventh win of the season.

In the second game, junior Rachel Hitt earned her sixth win of the year and classmate Katie O'Flynn picked up her second save as the two combined for a seven-hit outing, allowing three runs in the process.

Renssealer (10-8) took the lead in the first inning, scoring two runs before Oneonta came back in the bottom of the second to take a 3-2 lead. Kristyn Neroda laid down a perfectly placed bunt single before freshman Katie O'Gorman hit the ball to the centerfield fence for a stand up double to bring home Neroda. After a ground out that advanced O'Gorman to third, she scored on an error that placed Jamie Whittam on first base. Jennifer Brocco then singled up the middle to move Whittam to second, followed by a Traci Lichenstein single to right center that brought Whittam home for the third run.

Oneonta (15-5) added an insurance run in the fifth to put the Red Dragons up 4-2. With two outs, Marlene Cuevas became the second player to hit the outfield fence, this time the left side, for a stand up double. Brianna Rivera brought Cuevas in on a double to left center.

The Engineers made things interesting with one run in the top of the sixth to move to within 4-3.

After Oneonta went three up three down in the bottom of the inning, O'Flynn, who entered in the sixth, went to work. Rensselaer's lead-off hitter in the seventh, Tori Hunt singled to right center. She was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and then third on a ground out. With two outs, O'Flynn got Morgan Ten Eyck to pop out in foul territory to first baseman Nicole Marzillo to preserve the victory.

The Engineers return to the field on Sunday when they host St. Lawrence University at Doris Robison Field (1pm). The twinbill was originally scheduled for Canton, N.Y., but was moved to Troy due to field availability.