The successful week started on Tuesday, with a pair of non-conference games against Cazenovia College. The Red Hawks played a very even doubleheader with the Lady Wildcats, but fell in both games: 3-2 in the day game and 5-2 in the nightcap.

The day game at Cazenovia saw the Red Hawks take a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning. Shannon Smith started the rally with a sharp single to right field. Megan Porter reached on an error, and Shannon Smith used heads-up baserunning to advance to third. Porter stole second to put two runners in scoring position. Two batters later, Liz Vitaliano singled in Shannon Smith and Porter. Laura Feeney extended the inning by advancing on an error, but the rally ended when Stephanie Vanek grounded out.

The lead would not be safe; the Lady Wildcats scored twice in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game. RPI could not score in the rest of regulation, and with a runner placed on second in the first extra frame, could not score in the top of the eighth. Cazenovia took advantage of the extra runner, quickly scoring her and beating the Red Hawks 3-2.

Amy Huling took the loss for Rensselaer, after replacing Shannon Smith, who started the game and pitched 5.1 innings.

Cazenovia took little time scoring in the second game of the twin-bill, tallying all five of their runs in the first two innings. RPI mounted a rally in the top of the sixth. Shannon Smith again started the rally by reaching on an error by the third baseman. Porter ripped a triple and scored on an error by the Cazenovia second baseman. The Red Hawks advanced runners to first and second, but could not capitalize on the opportunity.

RPI’s comeback fell short as the Red Hawks fell 5-2. Freshman Huling took her second loss of the day, despite pitching seven strong innings.

The Red Hawks looked to rebound from the losses against the Hawks from Hartwick. The scoring came early and often for Rensselaer, scoring a run in five of the six innings in the first game of the double-dip.

The game started with a Vitaliano infield single. Vanek reached on an error, and Huling walked to load the bases. Leanna Smith lined a ball to center field, but Vitaliano was forced out at home on the play. Vanek later came around to score on a Shannon Smith single.

In the bottom of the third, Vanek showed her power, blasting a home run. Huling doubled to left field and advanced to third on a Leanna Smith ground out. Shannon Smith attempted a sacrifice fly to center field but the Hartwick centerfielder gunned out Huling trying to score.

The crushing blow came in the bottom of the fifth with the Red Hawks scoring four runs to put the Hawks away. The big inning started with a walk issued to Feeney. Vanek advanced on an error and Huling ripped a single up the middle. One batter later, Shannon Smith drew a walk with the bases loaded, forcing in a run, and Porter hit a sacrifice fly to drive in another run. Marissa Crifasi singled in two more runs and the Red Hawks went on to win, 9-1.

Vanek pitched a great game for Rensselaer, hurling a complete game, two-hit gem.

The second game was another offensive display for the Red Hawks. RPI tallied six runs in the second to quickly put away Hartwick.

Shannon Smith started off the second inning with a single, and she advanced to second on a bunt single by Porter. Crisfasi ripped a two-run double to right field and Jurta sacrificed her to third. Vitaliano doubled to right field to plate Crisfasi and Feeney singled in Vitaliano. Vanek then drove a ball deep over the left-center fence for her second home run of the day.

The game was capped of with a two-run home run by senior Porter. Shannon Smith tossed a shut out for the Red Hawks, scattering four hits in five innings.

The Red Hawks traveled to New Paltz on Thursday, and continued their offensive surge. The Hawks of New Paltz could not hold RPI back, and ended up falling 15-1 in the first game of a doubleheader.

The back-breaking inning was the top of the fourth, when the Red Hawks tallied 10 runs in the top of the frame. Vitaliano and Feeney started off the inning with a walk each. Vanek sacrificed the runners to second and third and Huling singled home a run with an infield hit. Three batters later, Crisfasi doubled home a pair of runs with a deep drive to center field. Jurta beat out an infield single and Vitaliano reached on an error. Feeney took her second walk of the inning and Vanek stepped up to the plate and clouted a long three-run home run to left field to cap off the 10-run inning.

Huling pitched four strong innings to get the win in the first game of the doubleheader to improve her record to 3-4 on the year.

The second game saw a much more balanced attack for the Red Hawks, beating out the New Paltz Hawks 6-2. Shannon Smith was the offensive star of the game, belting three hits and scoring a run.

Shannon Smith also pitched a great game, scattering five hits in seven innings. She improved to 3-5 on the season as the Red Hawks swept their second straight doubleheader.

The Red Hawks traveled to Canton to take on UCAA rival St. Lawrence. Rensselaer tallied five runs in the first three innings and went on to win the first game of the doubleheader 6-2.

Shannon Smith jump-started the offense with a single in the second. Lenna Smith and Porter each singled, and the bases were loaded for Crifasi. Crifasi hit a two-run single, followed by an RBI infield single by Jurta.

Vanek started off the rally in the third inning with a single and Huling sacrificed her to second. Shannon Smith reached on an error, and Leanna Smith singled in Vanek. Porter then singled in the fifth run of the game. Shannon Smith pitched another great game for the Red Hawks, going seven innings, scattering five hits.

Rensselaer used another quick start to beat out the Saints in game two of the double dip. Vitaliano started off the game with a sharp single. Feeney sacrificed her to second, Vanek singled, and Huling walked to load up the bases. Shannon Smith doubled down the line, driving in three runs. The rally stopped there, but the lead held throughout the game as the Red Hawks went on to win 5-1.

Vanek pitched a two-hit game, only allowing one run and walking none. She improved her record to 3-4 on the season.

Rensselaer traveled to Union on Monday to take on crosstown rival Dutchwomen. The low scoring twin-bill saw each team get shutout, as the Red Hawks split with Union. In the first game, RPI won on the wings of Shannon Smith. Shannon Smith scored the game-winning run in the fourth inning, and held the Dutchwomen to just four hits and no runs.

The second game saw Huling pitch a no-hitter for the Red Hawks, but the RPI offense disappeared, producing no runs for the freshman pitcher. Union broke the scoreless tie in the eighth inning, with two sacrifices scoring the game-winning run for the Dutchwomen.

The Red Hawks have used this stellar week to improve to 11-4 overall and 5-1 in UCAA conference play. They will host Russell Sage for a doubleheader Wednesday at 3 pm and Ithaca for a doubleheader Saturday at 11 am. They host two more conference games against Rochester on Sunday at 1 pm.