TROY, N.Y. – Graduate Student Steph Cavallaro had a four-hit doubleheader, including a walk-off single in the night cap, to lead the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) softball team to a sweep of Union College, on Tuesday afternoon at Doris Robison Field. With the win, the Engineers improve to 3-1 overall (2-0 Liberty League), while the Dutchwomen drop to 3-13 (3-11 Liberty League).

Cavallaro (Raynham, MA/Bridgewater Raynham Regional) helped RPI to a run-rule victory in Game 1, going 3 for 4 with a double, a run scored and a run batted in. 

The Engineers broke open a scoreless game in the bottom of the fourth, scoring six times after two were out in the frame. Cavallaro started the rally with a base hit and eventually came around to score on a Union throwing error. Classmate Veronica DeStefano (Emerson, NJ/Emerson) then delivered the biggest hit of the inning – a double down the left field line – that plated a pair to give the hosts a 5-0 lead. Junior Erin Askins (Tehachapi, CA/Tehachapi) then capped the rally with a solid single to center, scoring DeStefano.

Sophomore righthander Alexis Cooke (Newton, NJ/Kittatinny Regional) earned second win in as many starts, allowing just two hits over 5.0 innings. She struck out three and did not walk a batter. Freshman lefty Logan O'Neill (Waynesboro, VA/Waynesboro) worked a scoreless sixth, giving up two hits with one strikeout. 

In Game 2, RPI jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. DeStefano reached on an infield single and stole second, before scoring on an Askins double to right. Askins then went first to third on a base hit by grad student Allie Hunt (Pittsfield, MA/Pittsfield), before scoring on a double-steal to make it 2-0. Classmate Maddie Provencher (Rutland, MA/Wachusett Regional) added the third run with an opposite field single that brought home Hunt.

Union got all three runs back in top of the second, putting a pair of runners on in front of sophomore Karson Saunders (Rexford, NY/Emma Willard School), who launched a three-run home run to left. Her first collegiate long ball, scored classmate Hannah Mitchell (Halifax, MA/Silver Lake Regional) and senior senior Makayla Koehler (Brewster, NY/Brewster).

The game remained tied until the bottom of the seventh, when the Engineers loaded the bases with one out. Sophomore Chloe Lewandowski (Glenville, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) roped a sharp single to left to begin the inning, before DeStefano hit a looping base hit over third base. Askins dropped down a sacrifice, before Hunt was walked to load the bases. Cavallaro then came through with the walk-off hit, just down the line in left, giving RPI the 4-3 victory.

Sophomore Brooke Sroczinski (Raynham, MA/Bishop Feehan) went the distance in the circle allowing three runs on nine hits over 7.0 innings. She struck out three and walked two, while throwing 119 pitches. Koehler took the loss for the Dutchwomen, giving up four runs on 11 hits in 6.1 innings. She had three strikeouts and one walk.

Both teams are back in action tomorrow afternoon for a doubleheader in Schenectady, while first pitch scheduled for 3pm.