The Red Hawks had a full plate in front of them last week, with four doubleheaders in seven days. RPI, however, had no trouble finishing what was in front of them as they reeled off a perfect 8-0 record on the week. Coach Erika Lewis’ troops trounced Hartwick 9-0 and 6-0 on Wednesday; decimated Russell Sage 19-1 and 29-3 on Thursday; shut out St. Lawrence 5-0 and 10-0 on Saturday; and beat Manhattanville 4-3 and 8-4 yesterday.
“I’m very happy,” commented Lewis on her team’s performance. “It was a tough week, but they’re keeping good focus … I’m very proud of my players.”
In game one against Hartwick, the Red Hawks scored early and often, tallying at least one run in each of the first four innings. Senior Stephanie Vanek and freshman Sara Finkbeiner wasted no time going after Hawk pitcher Kathleen Morgese. Vanek led off the first inning with a triple. Then Finkbeiner, batting in the second spot, knocked her home with a single. The duo had a busy game, going a combined four-for-six from the plate with three RBIs. They also accounted for five of the Red Hawks’ nine runs in the match.
The nightcap provided much of the same story as RPI scored early and never looked back. Vanek and Finkbeiner once again got on base to start the game, but this time Vanek scored thanks to a wild pitch by Hartwick pitcher Kelsey Heider.
Hartwick’s best scoring chance would come in the second inning. After two RPI errors, the Hawks had the bases loaded with one out. Vanek, however, struck out Hartwick freshman Courtney Miller, and RPI catcher Jessica Muhic sent a laser to third to pick off Heider and end the threat.
On Thursday, the team traveled down the hill to take on the Russell Sage Gators. The Red Hawk hitters were merciless, tallying an eye-popping 48 runs on 43 hits over the course of the twin bill. Sophomore Logan Russell made her presence felt in the opener, going a perfect four-for-four from the plate with six RBIs and three runs scored. The run support would be more than enough for Vanek, who only allowed one run on three hits for her fourth win of the season.
In the nightcap, junior Katherine Valenta busted out of her season-long slump in style. Valenta went four-for-five from the plate with an astonishing nine RBIs. The LaGrange, Ill., native was also a triple shy of the cycle as she tallied a single, a double, and two home runs.
“Mechanically, she’s always been a good hitter,” said Lewis. “Sometimes you fall into a slump, but you just have to keep doing what you do. That’s what she did and she finally came alive at the plate.”
After a day off, the Red Hawks welcomed the St. Lawrence Saints to Doris Robison Field. It was the first Liberty League match-up for RPI, and it was also the first set of home games of the season for Lewis’ weary road warriors.
“It was good to be home,” remarked Lewis. “The kids were really psyched for it.”
The pitching was the story in game one. Freshman fireballer Michelle Street threw a complete game shutout, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out 16. Saint pitcher Ava Pickering held her own against the vicious Red Hawk hitters, holding them to two runs through four innings. RPI would get the better of her in the fifth, however, scoring three runs on two home runs to seal the deal for Rensselaer. With Vanek on third base, senior captain Amy Huling sent a deep shot to left field to double the RPI lead. Freshman slugger Julianne Bass was up next and knocked a round-tripper of her own for good measure.
Game two of the doubleheader was once again the “Huling and Bass” show. This time, Huling dominated on the other side of the plate, throwing a two-hit shutout for her 10th win of the year. Bass went three-for-three with three runs scored to lead the offensive attack. On the day, Bass was a perfect six-for-six.
“She is a real good ballplayer,” said Lewis of the Costa Mesa, Calif., native. “She was one of our top recruits. She’s difficult to strike out and she is definitely playing the way she’s capable of.”
The Liberty League agreed with Lewis’ assessment of Bass as they named her Rookie of the Week for the third consecutive week.
“I’m really surprised that I’m doing this well,” commented the modest freshman. “I was really nervous in the beginning of the season, but I’m glad that I was able to pull through.”
Two other Red Hawks earned Liberty League distinctions this week as well. Street was named Co-Pitcher of the Week for the third time in six weeks, and Vanek was named Co-Performer of the Week for the first time this season.
Street picked up the wins in both games against the Valiants yesterday. She struck out 10 while allowing just three hits in the opener, and came in relief in the nightcap, pitching three and two-thirds scoreless innings.
Valenta led the way at the plate going five-for-seven with three RBIs on the day.
The Red Hawks (25-3, 2-0) will next travel to Rochester for doubleheaders against league foe Yellowjackets on Sunday and versus RIT on Monday. These games will be the last tests for RPI before they take on hated rival Union on April 28. The Red Hawks, however, are not looking that far ahead.
“We just need to take each game as it comes,” said Lewis. Bass echoed her coach’s sentiment, saying, “Even when we play teams back-to-back, I don’t think about the second game when I’m playing the first one. And I think that’s important. You just take it one at a time.”
