For softball coach Erika Lewis, a seven win training trip was the goal for the team.
The team did one better.
The Rensselaer softball team won their first eight games, taking only one loss on their nine-game training trip.
RPI opened the season with an impressive win over Elms College. Junior Liz Vitaliano hit a home run and was 3-for-4 in the 8-2 win. Amy Huling allowed two runs, on two hits, and struck out five in six innings of work to earn the win. Nikki Dooley finished the game for the save in her first collegiate appearance.
But Dooley wasn’t done.
In her first collegiate start later that day, the freshman from Colonie threw a no-hitter, earning a 2-0 win. Dooley was just one walk away from a perfect game. Fellow freshman Amanda Bolognino was 2-for-3 with an RBI in leading the offense and teammate Katherine Volenta went 1-3 bringing home the other Rensselaer run in the win.
Pitching continued to be the theme in the still young road trip. Freshman Katie Mahoney threw a one-hitter and struck out 12 as the Red Hawks defeated Beloit 6-1. Senior co-captain Laura Feeney was 3-for-3 with a triple and Bolognino was 2-for-3 with a double as the Red Hawks crushed Beloit hurler Dani Meehan. RPI got five RBIs on 10 hits in an impressive offensive display. The Red Hawks were also solid yet again in the field as they committed no errors compared to the Buccaneers’ two.
Sophomore Stephanie Vanek threw another one-hitter in the Red Hawks’ fourth game, a 10-1 win over Dominican. Feeney again led RPI offensively, tallying two hits and scoring three runs.
Junior Ali O’Connor carried the team in a 6-5 win over Alfred. O’Connor had three hits, scored a run, and drove in two. Huling earned her second win of the spring.
Mahoney and Dooley combined for the third one-hitter of the Red Hawks’ trip, leading RPI to an 8-0 win over Emerson. Mahoney improved to 2-0, and Dooley earned her second save to go with her no-hitter.
Dooley got her second win of the season, shutting out Anna Maria 4-0.
In their eighth win of the young season, the Red Hawks beat Carroll 5-2. Sophomore Shannon Quinn went 3-for-4, and Bolognino collected two hits. Dooley improved to 3-0 with the complete game victory. She struck out nine and only walked four.
Emmanuel snapped the Red Hawks’ winning streak, snuffing out the offense in a 4-0 victory. Vanek suffered her first loss of the season, falling to 1-1. Mahoney and Dooley also made appearances for the Red Hawks.
The Red Hawks get a well deserved week off. They will be in action Thursday, March 25 at Montclair St. for a doubleheader. Their first home game will be Sunday, March 28 versus Plattsburgh St.
