CLERMONT, Fla. - Junior outfielder Veronica DeStefano went a combined 7 for 9 and freshman righthander Erika Holowka earned a win and a save to lead the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) softball team to a pair of victories on the final day of its Spring Break trip. With wins of 10-5 and 8-4 over Monmouth College and Moravian College, respectively, the Engineers improve to 9-2 on the season.

RPI jumped out a 5-0 lead after two innings against Monmouth to start the day, with juniors Cam Caswell and DeStefano delivering run-scoring singles in the first and second frames, respectively. Classmate Allie Hunt completed the second-inning rally with a base hit up the middle that plated DeStefano.

The Fighting Scots drew to within 5-2 in the top of the third, thanks to a two-run double to left by Jessica Pauley.

Rensselaer answered in the fourth, however, scoring three runs on four hits and one Monmouth error. Hunt got the scoring started with an infield hit that brought home classmate Quin Garant, before Cavallaro doubled to deep right, scoring freshman Jessica Torch and DeStefano. 

After a scoreless fifth, the Scots cut into the deficit one again with a three-run top of the sixth. An error and two singles loaded the bases for Rebecca Merletti, who drew a walk to score a run. Laura Dulee then doubled-home two more, when she ripped a 2-0 pitch down the line in right. 

Cavallaro gave the Engineers some insurance in the bottom half of the inning, launching her team-leading fourth home run of the year over the fence in right - a two-run shot.

Sophomore righthander Taylor Spargo (2-0) earned the win in the circle, giving up five unearned runs over 5.1 innings. She struck out one and walked one. Holowka inherited a jam in the sixth, but got out of it, before hurling a scoreless seventh for her second save.

Against the Greyhounds, RPI put up early runs once again, scoring three in the top of the second. With two on and two out, DeStefano singled to left, but the ball ran through the left fielder and all the way to the wall, scoring Garant and freshman Ryleigh Greenwald. Torch then brought DeStefano home with an infield single to the right side.

The Engineers made it 4-0 in the top of the third on an RBI-double by junior Maddie Provencher, but Moravian came roaring back to tie the game at 4-4 in bottom half. The frame was highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of Emily Stanilious.

RPI did not leave the contest square for long, scoring four times in the top of the fourth, thanks to three hits and an error. The first three batters of the inning reached, followed by a ground out that saw Garant get thrown out at home. Cavallaro then lifted a sacrifice fly to right, followed by a walk to Provencher and a two-RBI single by Greenwald.

Holowka was solid in the circle for the Engineers, surrendering four runs on nine hits over 7.0 innings. She struck out four and walked two to improve to 5-1. Moravian started Meghan Bauer lasted 2.1 innings, allowing four runs (1 earned) on five hits. Nicole Casano (0-1) shouldered the loss, despite not allowing an earned run (4 unearned). 

The Engineers are back in action on March 16, when they visit Simmons University for a doubleheader (2pm).