TROY, N.Y. - Junior Stephanie Caudle was a triple shy of hitting for the cycle and drove in five runs to lead the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) softball team to a 13-4 win over Clarkson University in Game 1 of a Liberty League doubleheader on Saturday at Doris Robison Field. The Engineers, who dropped Game 2, 10-5, move to 23-7 overall (6-2 LL), while the Golden Knights are now 18-12 (3-5 LL).

Caudle went 4 for 4 with a double, a home run, two runs and five runs batted in, helping the Engineers plate 10 runs in the first two innings of the game. Her two-run single got the scoring started in the first. Junior Morgan Kollmeier drove in two more with a base hit to right, before sophomore Devan Puhl brought home another with a single to left.

Kollemeier capped the three-run second with a run-scoring single to left.

A three-run homer by Caudle - her third of the year - made it 13-0 in the bottom of the fourth. The Golden Knights came back with a four-run top of the fifth, plating their only runs of the game. Sara Armstrong highlighted the rally with a two-run single to right center.

Caudle (11-3) went 4.0 innings and did not allow a hit. She struck out five and walked two. Maggie Stark took the loss for the Golden Knights allowing seven runs (1 earned) on six hits in 0.2 innings.

In Game 2, Clarkson struck for two in the top of the first, thanks to a pair of RBI-singles from Jamie Bridge and Ali Schwezfeier. RPI came right back with a three-run bottom half to take a 3-2 lead. Senior Morgan Ten Eyck provided the big hit, launching her first homer of the year. 

A two-run top of the third put the visitors back on top, as Armstrong homered down the line in left with a runner on. The shot put Clarkson ahead, 4-3.

The two teams traded two-run half innings in the fifth, before a four-run sixth gave the Golden Knights a 10-5 cushion. 

Schwenzfeier went 3 for 4 with a double, two runs and three RBI, while Raeanna Dunn was 3 for 5 with a run. RPI was led by Caudle, who went 2 for 3 with a double, a run and two RBI.

Kate Pelton (6-0) went 4.0 innings, allowing three runs on four hits. She stuck out two and walked one. Victoria Hepworth (7-2) surrendered four runs (2 earned) on seven hits in 3.0 innings. Caudle came on in relief to give up six runs (5 earned) on nine hits in 4.0 innings.

The Engineers are back in action tomorrow, when they host Union College in a doubleheader at Doris Robison Field (1pm). Clarkson visits Skidmore tomorrow (1pm).