Bats go silent as Softball drops pair of close games to RPI 1-0, 4-2
The MCLA Softball team dropped a pair of close games today to RPI. The Trailblazers were coming off a ten day layoff following their Florida trip.
Troy, NY- Host RPI scored the lone run in walk off fashion in a 1-0 game one win before holding off the Trailblazers 4-2 in the nightcap to earn a sweep over the MCLA softball program today at Robison field. The game marked the first for MCLA since the Florida swing as they are now 4-8 overall. The Engineers improve to 12-4 on the season.
Game one was a pitchers dual as the teams combined for just 7 hits. MCLA's Rachel Quackenbush and RPI's Caudle were stellar throughout. In the decisive seventh inning, RPI worked a leadoff walk and when the number nine hitter reached on an error it put runners on the corners setting the stage for Kollmeier. She lifted a sacrifice fly to center field plating the game winner for the Engineers.
MCLA had a great chance to break through in the sixth inning when Angelica Perfido singled and was sacrificed to second. Perfido would eventually make her way to third base with nobody out, but RPI would get a groundout and then Perfido would get hung up between third and home. She was tagged out quieting the rally.
Quackenbush went the distance tossing 6.1 innings allowing just four hits and striking out three batters.
In game two, the game was tied 1-1 after two innings of play. Perfido came around to score on an RPI miscue tying the game early. The Engineers would add a run in the third off MCLA starting pitcher Kate Henault to make it 2-1. RPI would add another insurance run in the fifth inning before MCLA mounted a rally in the sixth.
They loaded the bases with two outs and brought Jenn Sicinski to the plate. She drew a walk to score Quackenbush, but RPI would avoid further damage going to the bullpen for Deeb who would get Michaela Dinicola to lineout to short to end the threat and keep the score at 3-2.
RPI answered with a key insurance tally in the bottom of the inning.
MCLA would put the tying runs on base in the seventh with two outs, however Deeb got Abby Lucas to line out to center field ending the game.
Henault tossed the first 5.1 innings allowing all 4 runs and 8 hits.
The Trailblazer offense only mustered three hits in the game.
MCLA will host Southern Vermont tomorrow at 3:30 in the home opener at Zavattaro complex.