CLERMONT, Fla. - Freshman Jessica Torch went 5 for 8 on the day, as the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) softball team defeated Alvernia and Eastern Nazarene by scores of 9-1 and 2-1, respectively, at Legends Way Ballfields. With the wins, the Engineers improve to 5-2 on the year.

Torch went 4 for 4 with a pair of runs batted in against the Golden Wolves, while junior Veronica DeStefano was 4 for 5 in the six-inning victory. 

After a scoreless first inning, the Engineers plated two in the bottom of the second. Sophomore Kyla Anderson drove home the first run of the contest with a groundout to second, before junior Quin Garant singled in classmate Maddie Provencher for a 2-0 lead.

Alvernia got one run back in the top of the third, when Morgan Psiuk drove in Analise Fouracre with the first of her two hits on the day. 

RPI pushed its lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the fourth on a two-run single to left by Torch, scoring Garant and Anderson. Provencher followed with a solo home run to left - her first of the year - in the bottom of the fifth. Later in the frame, a bunt single by Torch and a throwing error made it a 6-1 game.

The Engineers brought the game to an early decision in the sixth inning, scoring three times on three hits. The frame was highlighted by a game-ending line drive single to left by DeStefano.

Freshman Erika Holowka tossed her second complete game of the year to earn the victory in the circle, allowing one run on five hits over 6.0 innings. She struck out three without a walk.

The nightcap against Eastern Nazarene was scoreless until the bottom of the fifth, when the Lions broke through on a run-scoring double from catcher Lauren Clements. The hit scored Kiley Ozaki all the way from first.

Following a scoreless sixth, the Engineers rallied in the top of the seventh to take a 2-1 lead. Provencher led off the frame with a single up the middle and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kyla Anderson. Garant then came through with an RBI-double to left, scoring Provencher. DeStefano grounded out, pushing pinch runner Ryleigh Greenwald to third. An infield single to the left side by Torch brough home the go-ahead run.

Holowka, who came on in relief of starter Taylor Spargo in the fifth, allowed a double with one out in the bottom of the seventh. A wild pitch sent the tying run to third, but Holowka was able to get out of the jam and earn her second win of the day by inducing a groundout third, before recording a strikeout to end the game.

The Engineers are back on the diamond tomorrow morning, when they take on Penn State Brandywine (9am), followed by Carthage College (1:30pm).