CLERMONT, Fla. - Junior Stephanie Caudle went 5.0 innings in relief and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) softball team pounded out 11 hits in an 11-3 season-opening win over Sage College on Saturday. After falling to Rutgers-Newark, 2-1, later in the day, the Engineers open the season at 1-1.

Junior Morgan Kollmeier went 2 for 2 with three runs, two runs batted in and a double out of the lead-off spot, while Taylor Ten Eyck was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. 

RPI scored six runs in the first three innings and added a four-run top of the sixth. Sage picked up single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.

Caudle allowed two runs on five hits in 5.0 innings, striking out five and walking one. 

In the nightcap, Rutgers-Newark answered an early RPI run to score in the fourth and fifth for a 2-1 lead. That was all they needed as Kelly Yusko went the distance for her first win of the year. She allowed one run on six hits in 7.0 innings, with six strikeouts.

The Engineers are back in action on Sunday, when they play a doubleheader against Stockton (3pm).