TROY, N.Y. - The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) softball team rebounded from a 6-4, nine inning, loss to SUNY Oneonta, to win by the same score in the nightcap of a doubleheader on Tuesday at Doris Robison Field. With the split, the Engineers are now 12-4 overall, while the Red Dragons move to 12-6.

Game one saw both teams score an early run, before both starting pitchers settled down. Katie O'Gorman (Clifton Park, NY/Shenedehowa) drove in a run with a single up the middle in the first, while RPI freshman Victoria Greco (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) brought one home by reaching on an error in the second.

Follow five scoreless frames, Oneonta regained its one-run lead (2-1) in the top of the eighth on a double by senior Briana Rivera (Pomona, NY/North Rockland), but the Engineers had the answer once again, as senior Jena Servidone (East Greenbush, NY/Columbia) plated sophomore Morgan Kollmeier (Kennett Square, PA/Kennett) with a base hit.

The Red Dragons blew the game open in the top of the ninth, as junior Jamie Whittam (Saugerties, NY/Saugerties) launched a two-out grand slam to make it 6-2. RPI did get two back in the bottom of the ninth, but were unable to climb any closer.

Senior Kristina (Commerce Town, MI/Walled Lake Northern) Weltzin took the loss for the Engineers, allowing six runs (1 earned) on seven hits in 9.0 innings. She struck out seven and walked two. Sophomore Jenn Brocco (Kingston, NY/Kingston) picked up the win, despite allowing a run on two hits in 1.0 inning. 

In game two, senior Nicole Marzillo (Bay Shore, NY/Bay Shore) opened the scoring with a two-run homer in the top of the first. She ripped her third home run of the year over the fence in center.

RPI answered with a four-run bottom of the second, which chased Brocco - who started game two - from the circle. Junior Danielle Balestrini (Lake Placid, NY/Lake Placid) delivered the big blow, driving in two with a two-out single up the middle. 

The Red Dragons fought back with single runs in the third and fourth inning to draw even at 4-4. Rivera and Whittam each plated runs with singles.

In the bottom of the fourth, Kollmeier gave the hosts the lead back for good, when she doubled over the head of the Oneonta left fielder, scoring Balestrini from second. Junior Morgan Ten Eyck (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) then doubled home an insurance run in the sixth.

Sophomore righthander Stephanie Caudle (Gainsville, FL/Gainsville) earned the win in relief, tossing 3.2 scoreless innings. She struck out five without a walk. Senior Rachel Hitt (Boonville, NY/Adirondack Central) was saddled with the loss, surrendering two runs on 10 hits in 4.1 innings.

The Engineers are back in action this weekend, when they travel to RIT and Rochester, this Saturday (1pm) and Sunday (1pm), respectively. Oneonta visits Ithaca for a pair tomorrow (3pm).