TROY, N.Y. - Junior Allie Hunt hit the go-ahead three-run home run to lead the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) softball team to a 4-1 victory over Clarkson University in Game 1 of a Liberty League doubleheader at Doris Robison Field on Saturday. The Engineers, who fell in Game 2, 5-2, are now 19-7 overall (3-3 Liberty League, while the Golden Knights are 17-11 (2-4 Liberty League).

Hunt broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the fifth inning, driving a three-run shot that scored classmates Veronica DeStefano and Quin Garant with two outs in the frame. 

Clarkson then put two runners on with just one out in the top of the sixth, but a line drive to third by Sarah Vaccaro was snared by Hunt, who was then able to double-off Michele Winn at first. After a scoreless bottom half, junior righthander Jaime Cleasby worked a 1-2-3 seventh to earn the win.

Cleasby (4-3) allowed one run on seven hits over 7.0 innings, striking out three without a walk. Sam Mennig (6-3) went the distance for Clarkson, surrendering four runs on eight hits in 6.0 innings. She struck out one and did not walk a batter.

Hunt finished 2 for 2 with a run and three RBI. DeStefano was 2 for 3 with two runs, while freshman Ryleigh Greenwald was 1 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

In Game 2, RPI scored two runs in the bottom of the first, but were kept off the board for the remainder of the contest. Hunt provided the big blow once again, doubling home freshman Jessica Torch and DeStefano. After the two reached and stole third and second, respectively, Hunt ripped a double to plate the pair with no outs in the inning.

After empty frames, the Golden Knights got on the board with a four-run top of the fourth. Vaccaro singled home Winn to get the scoring started, before Maddie Brink brought home Kyrstin Messier with a base hit to center. Run-scoring hits from Rylee LeBourveau and Raeanna Dunn followed to push the visitors' advantage to 4-2.

Clarkson added an insurance run in the sixth inning, when Vaccaro homered with nobody on base. She finished 2 for 3 with two runs and two RBI, while Messier was 2 for 3 with a run. Olivia Zoeller (6-4) earned the victory in the circle, giving up two runs on five hits in 7.0 innings.

Torch went 2 for 3 with her team-leading 27th stolen base, while Hunt was 1 for 3 with two RBI. Freshman Erika Holowka (10-3) allowed four runs on seven hits in 3.2 innings, recording one strikeout. Cleasby worked the final 3.1 innings, giving up just one run on two hits.

The Engineers are back in action tomorrow afternoon, when they visit Skidmore College (12pm). Clarkson visits St. Lawrence University tomorrow morning (10am).