ITHACA, N.Y. - Junior Veronica DeStefano went a combined 6 for 8 on the day to lead the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) softball team to a doubleheader split with No. 10 Ithaca College, on Sunday afternoon at Kostrinsky Field. The Engineers, who won the opener 6-2, before falling, 5-2, are now 27-9 overall (9-5 Liberty League), while the Bombers move to 23-7-1 (11-1 Liberty League).

DeStefano went 4 for 4 in the opener, scoring the game's first run in the bottom of the first, when classmate Allie Hunt doubled down the left field line. Hunt then came around to score on an RBI-groundout from classmate Maddie Provencher, before fellow junior Steph Cavallaro made it 3-0 with a double to left, scoring freshman Erin Askins.

Ithaca quickly drew to within 3-2 in the top of the second on a two-run home run off the bat of Haley White.

RPI answered with three more runs in the bottom of the third, beginning with two-run shot by DeStefano. Provencher then pushed the visitors' advantage to 6-2 with run-scoring groundout to second.

Junior Jaime Cleasby (8-3) extended her person winning streak to four games, tossing her fourth straight complete game. She allowed just two runs on four hits in 7.0 innings, striking out five and walking one. Haley Congdon (5-3) gave up five runs on six hits over 1.0 inning, issusing one walk.

I Game 2, RPI scored first again, when Askins singled home DeStefano, who had singled up the middle and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by freshman Jessica Torch. 

Ithaca took the lead in the top of the third on a three-run home run by Abby Shields. RPI junior Cam Caswell answered with a solo shot to right to draw within 3-2 in the fourth.

The Bombers created some breathing room in to the top of the sixth. Daniella Mulvey homered to left, before Gabby Laccona doubled home Ithaca's fifth run to cap the scoring.

Beth Fleming (10-2) went the distance to earn the victory, surrendering two runs on seven hits in 7.0 innings. She struck out five and walked three. RPI freshman Erika Holowka (13-4) gave up three runs on seven hits in 4.0 innings, before giving way to sophomore Taylor Spargo, who allowed two runs on three hits in 3.0 innings of relief.

Ithaca will be the host and top seed in the 2019 Liberty League Tournament, while the Engineers will be the third seed. The double-elimination event is scheduled to begin on Thursday.