The Red Hawks improved their record to 7-1 in UCAA play and 13-14 overall this weekend with two wins over the University of Rochester Yellowjackets. RPI won the first game 5-2 and the second game 4-2.
Rensselaer started early by getting two runs in the first inning off of Yellowjacket pitcher Kristina Long. Liz Vitaliano started the game with a double down the right field line, and advanced to third on Stephanie Vanek’s infield single. Freshman Amy Huling flied out to right field but got an RBI as Vitaliano scored. Vanek tallied RPI’s second run off a Shannon Smith single before Rochester was able to close out the inning.
Tracy Simon was able to score an unearned run for the University of Rochester in the top of the second inning.
RPI pitcher Shannon Smith quickly retired the next nine Yellowjackets to effectively extinguish any potential Rochester rally.
Vitaliano scored another run for Rensselaer in the bottom of the fifth inning, but the short rally was halted when Shannon Smith grounded out to end the inning.
The Red Hawks continued to add to their tally in the sixth inning. Leanna Smith started the inning with a double into center field. Megan Porter batted her in with a single to center field and reached second on a missed throw. Porter continued home on a Marissa Crifasi double to right-center.
Rochester was able to break through the RPI defense in the seventh inning. Simon tallied another run, but RPI ended the game, leaving three Rochester runners stranded on base.
Rochester started the first inning of game two with Bridget Baran, Simon, and Susan Zultanski all getting walks. However, RPI again forced the Yellowjackets to leave the bases loaded when Kristen Maloney popped up to Kelly Romano.
Inning two highlighted pitchers Vanek and Jennifer Moshier, as they both were able to end it without allowing a hit.
Rochester’s Val Palermo and Rensselaer’s Vitaliano both tallied a run in the third inning, leaving the game tied at one.
Shannon Smith scored the go-ahead run in the sixth for the Red Hawks, capitalizing on a leadoff walk and coming around to score on a Crifasi single.
The Yellowjackets were able to tie the game in the top of the seventh inning as Sara Dial scored off of a sacrifice fly by Palermo.
The Red Hawks looked to win the game as Vitaliano reached first base on a hit to right-center field. She advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Laura Feeney. RPI closed out the game in strong form as Vanek won the game for the Red Hawks with a two-run walk-off home run. The home run was Vanek’s sixth on the season.
The Red Hawks were scheduled to have a doubleheader last Wednesday against Russell Sage and another doubleheader against national champion Ithaca Saturday, but both were postponed due to inclement weather. Neither of the doubleheaders has been rescheduled.
