LET THE GAMES BEGIN
After a two week break in play due to weather postponements, the Engineers will play their home opener against Ithaca (9-5) on Sat. Apr. 7 at 1pm… the double header, which will be the first league game for both sides, was originally scheduled to be be played at Ithaca, but was moved due to Doris Robison Field weather conditions… RPI is still scheduled to play Union on the road on Sunday beginning at 1pm.

PRESEASON POLL
Ithaca, who has won three of the last six Empire Eight Championships, and Rensselaer, the 2017 Liberty League Champion, were voted first and second, respectively, in the 2018 Liberty League preseason poll.

WIN STREAK
Rensselaer (10-4) are currently on a four-game win streak after wins over Roger Williams, Hamilton and a Mount Saint Mary College sweep… the 5-0 win over Roger Williams was decided in extra innings, while RPI defeated 10-2 in five innings… in the Engineers' first games back up north, Rensselaer took the first game 3-1 while the second game was called with RPI up 7-3 in the sixth inning due to day night… sophomore Jaime Cleasby went 3-0 in the circle with a 1.50 ERA, 12 strikeouts and one combined shutout.

THE BOMBERS
Ithaca, who received votes in the most recent national poll, is 2-2 in their four games… the Bombers first swept Utica 5-4 and 9-1 before falling to No. 9 St. John Fisher 4-2 and 6-5… sophomore Vanessa Brown, the Apr. 2 Liberty League Softball Performer of the Week, hit two game-tying home runs on the week while combining for 8-for-14 with seven RBI's and six runs... the 2016 Empire 8 Champions are looking for their first conference wins at Rensselaer and Skidmore this weekend

SERIES HISTORY
Even though this is the Bombers' first year in the Liberty League, the two sides have a 34 game history dating back to 1993… Ithaca holds a 30-4 advantage with a current win streak of nine games… the Engineers' last win over the Bombers was in Ithaca on Mar. 24, 2012 in a 9-7 thriller… RPI is attempting to beat Ithaca at home for the second time in program; the only other time came in an 8-6 victory on Apr. 20, 2011.