ITHACA, N.Y.—The Ithaca softball team (9-5) stretched its winning streak to five with a lopsided sweep of visiting Rensselaer (5-8) Saturday. The Bombers hit five home runs in the doubleheader with a school-record five in their 10-2 five-inning win in the opener. Ithaca won game two 8-0 in six innings.
Both games ended with two-run home runs. Senior first baseman Caitlin Ryan (Allentown/Clarksburg, N.J.) ended game one with a two-run home run – the team's single-game record fourth. The nightcap ended on a two-run homer by freshman center fielder Jennifer Biondi (Morris Knolls/Denville, N.J.).
In the opener, freshman infielder Molly O'Donnell (Niskayuna/Niskayuna) hit a three-run home run in the third to put the Bombers up to stay and junior second baseman Kait Dolan (Victor/Farmington) and junior Brittany Lillie (Honeoye Falls-Lima/Honeoye Falls) added two-run shots in the fourth.
Junior Alison Greaney (John F. Kennedy/Iselin, N.J.) improved to 5-1 by scattering four hits. She fanned three hitters and didn't issue a walk.
O'Donnell's two-out home run in the third – the first of her career – erased a 1-0 Red Hawk lead. Biondi blooped a two-out single to second base then advanced to second on a passed ball. After Lillie drew a walk, O'Donnell homered down the left-field line. Ithaca added a fourth run when junior catcher Kerry Barger (Carmel/Carmel) singled and scored on a double by junior shortstop Kayla Critser (Herkimer/Herkimer).
Ithaca's four-run fourth inning featured a two-run home run by Dolan (the first of her career) that followed Greaney's lead-off single. One out later, Biondi singled, stole second and scored on Lillie's fifth home run of the season. through 14 games, Lillie already ranks 10th on the program's single-season list and her nine career home runs are fourth all-time at Ithaca.
Ryan hit her eighth career home run one pitch after Critser singled up the middle to lead off the fifth.
Biondi, Lillie and Ryan each had two of Ithaca's 12 hits. Biondi and Lillie both scored a pair of runs.
In game two, senior Alyssa Brook (Monmouth Regional/Tinton Falls, N.J.) retired the last 11 batters she faced and finished with a two-hit shutout. She struck out six and walked one in upping her record to 2-1.
Biondi's first career home run capped a four-run Bomber rally in the sixth. Freshman outfielder Meghan Kissinger (Country Day/Havertown, Pa.) opened the inning with a four-pitch walk. Ryan singled to right and an outfield error allowed pinch-runner Alyssa Guzman (Newburgh Free Academy/Newburgh) to score. Dolan singled Ryan home and Biondi followed with the game-ending home run.
Ithaca scored three times in the third, taking the lead on an infield single by Biondi that brought home Greaney, who'd led off the inning with a double. Biondi scored on a throwing error and O'Donnell added an RBI hit. An inning later, Greaney tripled and scored on a wild pitch.
Biondi, Barger, Greaney and Dolan each hit safely twice. Biondi drove in three runs.
The Bombers return to action Sunday, playing a 1:30 p.m. doubleheader at Rochester.
The Bombers play a doubleheader at Rochester Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Game one box score
Game two box score
