ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College softball team hosted the RPI Engineers on Saturday afternoon as the program honored its seven seniors in a postgame Senior Day. The Bombers won both doubleheader games, taking the first matchup by a 5-1 score before mounting a comeback to take the second by a 5-4 score. With the sweep, Ithaca improves to 13-6 overall and 4-0 in Liberty League play.
ITHACA 5, RPI 1 (F)
Leadoff hitter
Anna Bello set the tone early for the Bombers, reaching base with a single to open the game.
Sydney Miranda followed with a walk before
Cate Murray delivered a triple to center field, driving in both Bello and Miranda to give the Bombers a 2–0 lead after one inning of play.
The Bombers extended their advantage in the bottom of the third.
Madison Schoenenberger singled to left field, and
Kailen Winkelblech followed with a Senior Day home run over the left field fence to push the lead to 4–0.
In the fourth,
Taylor Andrews worked a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a single by
Jessie Lopez to left center, but the Bombers were unable to bring a run across.
Winkelblech sparked the offense again in the fifth frame with a double to left field and advanced to third on the relay back from the outfield. On the ensuing flyout, she took advantage of the opportunity and was plated on a sacrifice fly to make it a 5–0 game.
The Bombers threatened again in the sixth as
Taylor Andrews singled to right field and
Paige Cannon entered as a pinch runner. A single by Lopez moved Cannon to second before Cannon stole third and Andrews advanced on an overthrow down the third-base line, but the Bombers were once again unable to capitalize.
RPI broke up the shutout in the seventh inning. Callista Adorno walked and Olivia Termi was hit by a pitch before Brooks singled to load the bases. Addison Shaffer drove in Adorno with a single to left field to put the Engineers on the board, but the rally fell short.
Maddy Rowell pitched a complete game, striking out three batters to secure the win as she gave up just the two hits within the seventh. Winkelblech led all batters with two hits, while
Cate Murray recorded a game-high three RBI.
ITHACA 5, RPI 4 (F)
RPI struck first in the nightcap, scoring three runs in the top of the second inning. Olivia Termi doubled to right field and later came home on a wild pitch. Brooks added an RBI single to center field, and Evann McDowell drove in another run with a single to left-center to give the Engineers a 3–0 lead.
Ithaca's offense got going in the bottom of the second when
Ava Rao singled to center field and
Haley Petrucci followed with a double, but the Bombers were unable to cash in.
The Engineers added another run in the fourth on a double by Sydney Speanberg that scored Gaby Heim, extending the lead to 4–0.
The Bombers answered in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Cate Murray singled down the right field line, and
Elise Waddington followed with a single to move Murray to third. Rao brought Murray home with an RBI single to right field, and Petrucci followed with a double down the left field line to score Waddington. After a pop out, Rao scored on a ball put in play, cutting the deficit to 4–3.
IC completed the comeback in the sixth inning. Rao led off with a single to left center, Petrucci added a single to right field, and
Jessie Lopez followed with a base hit. After Petrucci was ruled out on player interference at second base, Bello delivered a clutch double to the right field fence, driving in two runs to give the Bombers a 5–4 lead.
The Bombers held on for the win, closing out the game to complete the doubleheader sweep.
Taylor Brunn pitched the early innings and recorded seven strikeouts, while
Kahlen Cornell finished the game in relief, adding three more strikeouts to secure the victory in the circle.
Rao and Petrucci each recorded three hits to lead the Bombers offensively. Bello finished with a team-high two RBI, including the game-winning hit in the sixth inning.
The Bombers will have a quick turnaround, hosting the Skidmore Thoroughbreds tomorrow for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
