TROY, N.Y. - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) student-athlete Steph Cavallaro hit a walkoff triple in the bottom of the ninth inning for a 3-2 victory and set up an eventual Liberty League  sweep over Skidmore College on Sunday afternoon at Doris Robison Field. The Engineers took the nightcap 5-2.

RPI (21-7, 11-1 Liberty League) is currently on an eight-game win streak, which is its the longest in program history. Prior to the sweep, the longest conference win streak was seven games in 2014. Additionally, the Cherry and White's last eight-game win streak was in 2016. Rensselaer has won 10 straight games at home, dating back to last season.

Cavallaro was a combined 2-for-6 with a triple, double, RBI and run. Pacing the Engineers at the plate was senior Christine White with a 4-for-7 effort with three RBI's and one double. Pitchers Sarah Harms and Jaime Cleasby each recorded complete game wins while holding Skidmore (15-17, 2-8 Liberty League) to a .250 batting average.

Skidmore jumped to the lead in game one in the top of the first when Lizette Roman-Johnston scored off a bases loaded single from Kristina Foley. Harms kept the Thoroughbreds from scoring anymore with two strikeouts to end the inning.

In the bottom of the fifth and Skidmore still up 1-0, the Thoroughbreds put on a defensive clinic while retiring the side. Second baseman Karly Fishkin and third baseman Adrianna Garcia prevented Engineers base hits, stopping balls from going through infield gaps and then making strong throws to first. The third out of the inning was secured courtesy of a long, splitting stretch from first baseman Roman-Johnston.

RPI ended Amanda Carilli's shutout in the bottom of the sixth when pinch runner Devan Puhl tied the game 1-1 off a Cam Caswell triple to centerfield. The Engineers then took their first lead during the next at bat when Caswell scored courtesy of a White single through the left side.

Skidmore extended the game when Maddie Nelson tied the game in the top of the seventh inning on a sacrifice fly from Fishkin.

The Thoroughbred defense continued its strong play when shortstop Hannah Paolucci made a heads up double play on a line drive in the bottom of the seventh. Paolucci then pierced the ball to first where Roman-Johnson made another strong stretch to complete the double play.

After a scoreless inning and a half, Skidmore's Garcia continued her impressive play by snagging, bobbling and ultimately catching a line drive to prevent a leadoff base hit in the bottom of the ninth. However, with senior Kacie Herity on first and one out , Rensselaer's Cavallaro hit a triple to right center to give RPI the 3-2 extra innings win.

Harms (14-4) was credited with the complete-game win with four strikeouts and 137 pitches thrown. Carilli (12-10) picked up the loss with one strikeout, five hits against and a total 120 pitches thrown over 8.1 innings.

Adding to Cavallaro's walk off triple was White with a 2-for-4 effort with one RBI. Roman-Johnston led Skidmore going 3-for-5 with one run.

In game two, RPI jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when sophomore Veronica DeStefano scored from second off a White double to right center. The Thoroughbreds responded in the top of the third when Nelson scored off a Fishkin single.

With the game tied 1-1 and runners on second and third with only one out, Rensselaer second baseman Victoria Greco charged a ground ball and threw to home on a Skidmore hit-and-run play in the top of the fourth. White, the catcher, laid down the tag to keep the tie alive. Cleasby, the RPI pitcher, then followed up her infield's effort with a strikeout to keep Skidmore off the board.

In the top of the fifth, the Thoroughbreds took their first lead when Roman-Johnston scored from second base on a one out single up the middle by Garcia. The RPI outfield then stepped up for the following two outs with runners on second and third to keep it a one run game. DeStefano prevented a sacrifice fly in right field with a strong throw to home to keep the runner on third. The following at-bat, left fielder Maddie Provencher made a running, over the shoulder catch on the warning track to record the final out.

Skidmore carried its fine game one defensive play into the night cap as Paolluci made a backhanded grab and throw in the bottom of the fifth to an outstretched Roman-Johnston to prevent a leadoff hit. However, Rensselaer tied the game when DeStefano scored her second run of the game off a one out, sacrifice fly to right field. RPI then reclaimed the lead when Greco scored off a White single up the middle.

With Rensselaer up 3-2 going into the sixth, the Cherry and White added two insurance runs in the bottom of the inning when a DeStefano single down the right field line brought home Cavallaro and Puhl.

Down 5-2, Skidmore needed seventh inning magic for the second time today, but Cleasby retired the side to seal the win.

Cleasby (7-3) had a complete game win with seven strikeouts and 117 pitchers. Carilli picked up her second loss of the day with two strikeouts and 112 pitches over 6.0 innings.

DeStefano paced the RPI offense, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, two runs and two stolen bases. Skidmore was once again led at the plate by Roman-Johnston, who was 2-for-4 with one run.

RPI currently tops the Liberty League at 11-1, and has sealed home field advantage for the conference playoffs. Rounding out the top four are Ithaca (9-3 Liberty League), Union (4-4 Liberty League) and Rochester (4-4 Liberty League). St. Lawrence (2-4) sits in fifth with RIT (2-6) and Clarkson (2-6) tied for sixth. Skidmore sits at the bottom of the league with a 2-8 record.

The Engineers at set to take a break from conference play on Tuesday at Middlebury. The double header is set to begin at 3:30pm.