TROY, N.Y. – Abbie Biggs picked up a pair of victories in the circle to lead the University of Rochester softball team to a doubleheader sweep of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), on Monday afternoon at Doris Robison Field. With wins of 7-1 and 5-4, the Yellowjackets improve to 10-12 overall (4-0 Liberty League), while the Engineers drop to 14-12 (2-2 Liberty League).
Game 1 saw the Yellowjackets break up a scoreless deadlock in the top of the fifth, after starters Lauren Keys and
Alexis Cooke kept the opposition off guard for the early stages of the contest.
Pinch-hitter Bryce West rolled a single through the left side of the infield to score pinch-runner Kristen Myers to give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the fifth. RPI answered in the bottom half, when Cat Worthington looped a single down the line in right, scoring
Jessica Torch, after she stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error.
Rochester took the lead back in the top of the sixth, when first baseman Hannah Kepler hit a two-run homer to right center, for a 3-1 advantage. A grand slam from Ally Kim followed in the top of the seventh to add four insurance runs.
Biggs, who worked the final 2.1 innings of the contest, earned the victory in relief, after Keys opened the game by allowing one unearned run on seven hits over 4.2 innings. She struck out two and did not walk a batter.
RPI starter
Alexis Cooke (5-6) was tagged with the loss, giving up two runs on three hits over 5.1 innings. She had three strikeouts and one walk.
In Game 2, Rochester once again got a first inning run, but RPI was able to counter with a two-run bottom of the second to take its only lead of the day. Pinch-hitter
Alex Ledger was able to reach on an error to tie the game, before Worthington punched a single up the middle to
Chloe Lewandowski for a 2-1 edge.
The Yellowjackets drew even (2-2) in the top of the third, as Bailey Nicholoff lifted a sacrifice fly to deep center.
After three blank frames from both sides, Rochester tacked on three runs in the top of the seventh, which proved to be the difference in the contest. Keiper singled home the go-ahead single, ahead of a two-run double from Bryce West to make it 5-2.
RPI did not go down without a fight, however, scoring two runs of their own in the bottom of the seventh and chasing Biggs from the contest with one away in the frame.
Gabby Comeau delivered a line drive single to center that brought home Worthington and Torch, but Christin Napierkowski was able the record the final two outs after entering the game with the tying run on to secure her second save of the season.
Biggs (3-1) allowed four runs (1 earned) on seven hits over 6.1 innings, striking out one and walking three.
Erika Holowka (6-4) went the distance for RPI, surrendering five runs on nine hits over 7.0 innings. She struck out one and walked one.
The Engineers are back on the diamond tomorrow afternoon, when they visit SUNY Cortland for a twin bill (3pm). Rochester hosts Fredonia tomorrow (3pm).
