ITHACA, N.Y. – On Thursday evening, the No. 24 ranked Ithaca College softball team swept Alfred University in a non-conference matchup. The Bombers took game one 9-0, invoking the run-rule after six innings, and the second game 14-7 in seven innings. Ithaca now stands at 23-6 overall and with a Liberty League doubleheader against RIT left on its regular season schedule.
 
Game 1: Ithaca 9, Alfred University 0 (F-6 innings)
It was a quiet first inning for both teams, with neither recording a run nor a hit. Ithaca was the first to strike, rallying for three runs in the top of the second. Back-to-back walks by Haley Petrucci and Kailen Winkelblech put runners on first and second. Petrucci then advanced to third on a flyout to center by Anna Bello. On the next pitch, Winkelblech stole second, giving the Bombers two runners in scoring position. Isabella Maynard followed with a sacrifice fly to center, bringing Petrucci home for the game's first run. With two outs, Belle de Oliviera came through with a clutch single through the left side, scoring Winkelblech from third. After another pair of walks in which loaded the bases, Jessie Lopez drew a walk that brought Cynthia Ehrenfeld across the plate, extending Ithaca's lead to 3-0.
 
Cornell made quick work of Alfred in the bottom of the second, facing just three batters and notching two more strikeouts. The Bombers threatened again in the third with a single from Winkelblech but left two runners stranded.
 
Both teams' bats stayed quiet until the top of the fifth, when Elise Waddington led off with a double to right-center. Winkelblech followed with an RBI single down the right field line to make it 4-0 Ithaca.
 
Cornell faced a brief jam in the bottom half, allowing back-to-back one-out singles, but she regrouped to retire the next two batters to end the inning.
 
Lopez sparked another Ithaca rally in the sixth with a single up the middle, moving de Oliviera to third. Waddington then delivered the big blow, blasting a three-run homer over the left field fence to push the Bombers' lead to 7-0. Petrucci kept the inning alive with a double to left-center, setting the stage for Winkelblech, who sealed the game with a two-run homer down the left field line.
Cornell tossed six shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out 10 to lead Ithaca to a dominant 9-0 run-rule victory. Waddington and Winkelblech paced the offense, each scoring three runs in the win.
 
Game 2: Ithaca 14, Alfred University 7 (F)
Ithaca wasted no time getting on the board in the top of the first. Waddington ripped a double down the left field line to drive in Jessie Lopez for the first run of the game. Petrucci followed with a single to right-center, moving up to second while Waddington advanced to third. Winkelblech then delivered a two-run double to left center, giving the Bombers an early 3-0 lead.
 
Mady Rowell ran into some trouble in the bottom half, allowing an RBI single that put Alfred on the board.
 
Sydney Miranda led off the second inning with an infield single, and Belle de Oliviera followed with a walk to put two runners on. With two outs, Elise Waddington came through again, lining a two-run double to left to extend Ithaca's lead to 5-1.
 
Alfred cut into the deficit in the third when Rowell gave up a two-run homer, making it 5-3. Taylor Brunn came on in relief and shut the door to finish the inning.
 
In the top of the fourth, Sela Scheinman reached base and scored on an RBI single from Winkelblech. Anna Bello then blew the game open with a three-run blast to center, stretching the Bombers' lead to 9-3.
 
Brunn worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the fourth, escaping the inning unscathed despite giving up two hits.
 
Miranda sparked the offense again in the fifth, leading off with a solo home run to left—another Bomber blast. Belle de Oliviera singled later in the inning but was left stranded.
 
Petrucci drew a walk to start the sixth, and Winkelblech kept her hot bat going, smashing a two-run homer, her second of the day, to push Ithaca's lead to 12-3.
 
Alfred kept battling, scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth on a pair of singles off Brunn. Ainsley Rogers entered in relief and got the final out to end the inning.
 
The Bombers kept their offense rolling in the seventh. Petrucci singled with two outs, and Winkelblech followed with another clutch hit up the middle, scoring Gabriella Facciponti. Petrucci scored on a throwing error to make it 14-5.
 
Alfred made one last push in the bottom of the seventh, plating two runs on a double, but Rogers closed it out by striking out the final batter to seal Ithaca's 14-7 win.
 
Winkelblech led the Bombers' offense, finishing 4-for-5 with six RBIs.
 
The Bombers will return to Kostrinsky Field on Saturday for their final regular season game, hosting a Liberty League doubleheader against RIT. Ithaca will also be celebrating its seniors, honoring their hard work and dedication over the past four years. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.