Game 1 Box |
Game 2 Box |
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TROY, N.Y. - Two shutouts by their starters were the key difference as the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) softball team swept St. Lawrence University in Saturday's Senior Day doubleheader by scores of 3-0 and 1-0.
The win in game one also gave head coach
Amber Maisonet her 200th win at the helm of the Engineers. With the wins, the Engineers wrap up their regular season at 23-9 (13-1 Liberty League), while the Saints stumble to 12-16 (4-8 Liberty League).
In game one, the Engineers sent senior and reigning Liberty League pitcher of the week
Sarah Harms to the circle, to face off against St. Lawrence's Madison Mitchell. The first two and a half innings brought a pitcher's duel, until the Engineers opened the action in the bottom of the third.
Senior
Devan Puhl led off the inning with a walk, and moved to second base after a sacrifice bunt by Stephanie Cavallaro. Two batters later, sophomore
Veronica DeStefano doubled to center field, and Puhl crossed the plate to put the Engineers on the board.
Next, senior
Victoria Greco sent a single to the same spot, which scored DeStefano, and Greco moved to second on the throwing error. Mitchell's day was over as Allie Courtwright came in to relieve. Mitchell (3-5) was tacked with the loss and finished her 2.2 innings allowing two earned runs on two hits, two walks, and zero strikeouts. Courtwright was able to escape the inning, allowing no further damage.
While Mitchell's day had come to an end, Harms stayed strong in the circle, shutting out the Saints, and allowing just five hits from the fourth inning on. Harms (15-5) was awarded the win, tossing a complete game shutout and allowing just the five hits, two walks, and striking out three.
The Engineers added an insurance run in the fourth inning, after an RBI single by Cavallaro. The lead, combined with Harms' stellar performance, clinched the victory for Rensselaer, and gave Maisonet win number 200.
Courtwright finished her 3.1 innings of relief allowing one earned run, two hits, five walks, and one strikeout.
Four Engineers had one hit in game one, with Greco, DeStefano, and Cavallaro earning the only Rensselaer RBI. For the Saints, Angelina Carney was 2 for 3 with a double.
In game two, Rensselaer sent sophomore Jamie Cleasby to the circle, where she faced off against Caroline Young.
As the sky got darker and the rain began to fall, the Engineers once again opened the scoring in the bottom of the second. Senior
Kacie Herity pounded a one-out single to left. Classmate
Chelsea Elliott doubled over the center fielder's head, scoring Herity.
Game two followed game one's example of being a pitcher duel, as from the third inning on, the two teams combined for zero runs, and only two hits (one hit apiece).
St. Lawrence came close in the fifth inning, with just one out and two runners on. After a fielder's choice to put runners on first and second with two outs, Cleasby struck out Alexandra Barter to escape trouble.
The Engineers tried to do the same in the bottom half of the inning, with runners on first and second with two outs, but a
Devan Puhl flyout to left ended the inning.
Both pitchers did not allow a hit the rest of the way, securing the win for Cleasby and the Engineers. Cleasby improved to 8-4 in her complete game shutout, allowing just two hits, two walks, and striking out eight Saints.
For St. Lawrence, Young allowed just the one earned run in her complete game effort, allowing four hits, no walks, and no strikeouts.
RPI was led offensively by Elliott, who was 2 for 2 with an RBI, while Puhl and Herity also added a hit each. For Saint Lawrence, Deanna Sullivan and Elle Gray posted the only hits for the Saints.
Rensselaer finish their regular season with the top spot in the Liberty League. The hosts of this year's Liberty League tournament, the Engineers will play their first tournament game on Thursday, their opponent to be determined. St. Lawrence will travel to Potsdam tomorrow to take on Clarkson in a doubleheader, starting at 1pm.
