The Rensselaer softball team improved to 10-5, splitting a doubleheader with Ithaca and sweeping New Paltz.
The Red Hawks used a pair of mercy rule victories to defeat the New Paltz Hawks Tuesday. In game one, freshman Nikki Dooley gave up just two hits and the Red Hawks offense scored eight runs in a five-inning 8-0 victory.
Amanda Bolognino led the offensive charge for RPI, tallying hits in each of her three at bats and scoring a run. Stephanie Vanek added two hits, a run, and two RBI.
Dooley was stellar in the five-inning, complete-game performance. She struck out 12 of 15 batters, including seven of the first eight batters.
In game two, Vanek contributed another stellar pitching performance as the Red Hawks defeated the Hawks 8-0. She pitched a complete game shutout, the second of the day for the Red Hawks.
At the plate, Vanek tallied two more hits, including a home run. Vanek also added three RBI and scored two runs.
Saturday, the Red Hawks traveled to Ithaca to take on the Bombers.
Game one saw a come from behind victory for RPI. After falling behind 1-0, the Red Hawks rallied back in the top of the sixth.
After two quick ground outs, the Red Hawks started their late inning rally. Liz Vitaliano walked, and Laura Feeney singled past the second baseman, advancing Vitaliano to second. Vanek then reached on an error by the Ithaca third baseman, loading the bases for Bolognino.
Bolognino ripped a grounder to the shortstop, who bobbled the ball, allowing Vitaliano and Feeney to score.
The one run lead would be all that Dooley needed, earning the complete-game win. She allowed only five hits and one unearned run in the victory.
Game two did not go as well for the Red Hawks, despite a fast start.
Vitaliano led off the game with a single to center field. After Feeney grounded into a fielder’s choice and Vanek walked, Katie Valenta hit an RBI single to center. Amy Huling then reached on an error to load the bases, and Ali O’Connor singled to drive home a pair of Red Hawks.
With a 3-0 lead, RPI cruised into the top of the third and padded their lead. Feeney reached on an error by the second baseman, and advanced to second on a Vanek single. Bolognino singled to left field, scoring Feeney. Huling got the second RBI of the inning, grounding into a fielder’s choice. A walk to O’Connor loaded the bases, but Shannon Quinn popped up to the pitcher and Lindsey McKeen was out trying to bunt.
Ithaca fired back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third, led by a pair of bunt singles, an infield single and a stolen base.
The Bombers continued the pressure in the bottom of the fourth, scoring six more runs, five of which happened after two outs.
Ithaca added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth, and the Red Hawks could not mount a comeback, falling 9-5.
Huling pitched three and two-thirds innings, and yielded seven hits and eight runs, all earned. Katie Mahoney pitched an inning and a third, giving up a single run on one hit. Dooley stopped the bleeding, pitching a perfect inning with a strike out.
In addition to the stellar week on the mound, Dooley was named UCAA pitcher of the week. The stand out freshman from Colonie is currently the top pitcher on the Red Hawks’ staff. Bolognino has been leading the team offensively, anchoring RPI in the third position and defensively at catcher. Vanek, Vitaliano, and Feeney have also been strong offensively and defensively for the young RPI squad.
The Red Hawks will take on rival Union in a doubleheader Saturday at 3 pm, and UCAA foe Skidmore in a doubleheader Sunday at 1 pm.
