TROY, N.Y. - The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) softball team erased a two-run deficit in the seventh inning and scored two runs in the eighth to defeat Williams College, 7-6, in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Tuesday. The Engineers, who lost Game 2, 8-3, move to 18-6 on the season, while the Ephs are also 18-6.

Trailing 5-2 in the sixth, RPI got one run back on double to right center off the bat of senior Danielle Balestrini, which scored freshman pinch runner Stefanie Warner.

The Engineers then rallied for two in the seventh, tying the game at 5-5. A wild pitch brought home junior Morgan Kollmeier, before Morgan Ten Eyck drove a single to right, scoring sophomore Devan Puhl.

In the eighth, Kollmeier plated Balestrini with a groundout to second, breaking the tie (6-5). Senior captain Taylor Ten Eyck followed with a double to deep center to bring around Rebecca Kienz and a 7-5 edge.

Williams took advantage of an RPI error in the bottom of the inning to score a run, but junior Stephanie Caudle (8-3) was able to complete the 8.0 innings for the win. She allowed six runs (4 earned) on eight hits, striking out five and walking four.

In Game 2, the Ephs anwered a first-inning RPI run with one in the second, three in the third, one in the fourth and three in the fifth.

Erica Li and Alison Micha each went 2 for 4 with a run scored, while Pricilla Pi went 1 for 3 with a double, a run and an RBI.

The Engineer saw Caudle finish 1 for 3 with her second home run of the season. Kollmeier went 1 for 2 with a double and a walk.

Senior Victoria Hepworth (4-1) was tagged with her first loss of the season, allowing four runs on five hits in 2.0 innings. Sophomore Sarah Harms went 2.0 innings, surrendering one unearned run on one hit, with two  strikeouts and two walks.

Rensselaer is back on the diamond on Saturday, when it travels to St. Lawrence for a Liberty League doubleheader (1pm).