NEW PALTZ, N.Y. - The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) softball team pounded out 15 hits to beat SUNY New Paltz, 8-2, in Game 2 of a doubleheader on Wednesday. The Engineers, who dropped Game 1, 3-0, move to 10-4 overall, while the Hawks are now 6-6.

Game 1 saw the hosts break onto the scoreboard in the fourth inning, when Lauren Cappello singled home Danielle Bruno.

The Hawks added two insurance runs in the sixth, as Cappello delivered a sacrifice fly, before Bruno came home on a wild pitch.

New Paltz starting pitcher Katie Rutcofsky went the distance for the shutout, allowing six hits in 7.0 innings. She struck out six and walked one. RPI freshman Stephanie Caudle took the loss, surrendering three runs (2 earned) on four hits in 5.2 innings.

Sophomore Devan Puhl was perfect at the plate for the Engineers, going 2 for 2 with a walk.

In Game 2, Rensselaer fought back from an early 1-0 deficit to score two runs in the top of the third and three in the fourth. Morgan Ten Eyck and Danielle Balestrini each RBI-base hits, before Caudle came through with a two-run double.

After New Paltz got one back in the bottom of the fourth, the Engineers plated three more runs in the top of the sixth, thanks to run-scoring doubles from Taylor and Morgan Ten Eyck. Morgan's gapper to left capped the rally for RPI, scoring Taylor and Stefanie Warner. 

RPI senior lefty Victoria Hepworth went the opening 4.0 innings, giving up just two runs on four hits. She struck out one and walked four. Cappello lasted just 2.0 innings for the Hawks, allowing two runs on five hits.

The Engineers are back in action on Wednesday, when they take on MCLA in their home opener at Doris Robison Field (3pm). New Paltz hosts Sage tomorrow (3:30pm).