ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The Ithaca College softball team took on the Tigers from RIT today in a Liberty League doubleheader on Sunday afternoon. The Bombers earned the 4-2 win in the opening matchup before falling 4-3 to the Tigers in extra innings.
 
ITHACA 4, RIT 2 (F)
Ithaca jumped out to an early 2–0 lead in the top of the first inning, scoring both runs with the help of two RIT errors and a wild pitch despite recording just one hit. Anna Bello crossed the plate on a throwing error, and Madison Schoenenberger later scored on a wild pitch. RIT was unable to answer in the bottom of the inning, going down in order.
 
RIT responded in the bottom of the second, cutting the deficit to 2–1 with a run on two hits. Sylvia White led off the inning with a double and eventually scored after Madeleine Barstow laid down a sacrifice bunt that resulted in a throwing error by the second baseman. RIT placed additional runners on base but was unable to capitalize, leaving two stranded as Mady Rowell escape. Ithaca went quietly in the top half, and retired in order without a hit.
 
The Tigers evened the score in the third inning, plating one run on three hits to knot the game at 2–2. Carlianna Ewing singled and later came around to score on an RBI single from Barstow. Despite the productive inning, RIT stranded two more runners. Ithaca managed a one-out single by Cate Murray in the top of the frame but left her on base.
 
Both teams were held scoreless in the fourth inning. RIT reached base on an error and advanced a runner into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt but could not bring her home. Ithaca also threatened after a walk and a sacrifice bunt moved a runner to second, but a pop-up ended the inning and kept the game tied.
 
Ithaca regained the lead in the fifth, scoring two runs on three hits and an RIT error to go up 4–2. Kailen Winkelblech drove in Haley Petrucci with an RBI single, and another run came across on a throwing error following a sacrifice bunt. RIT managed just one hit in the bottom of the inning and was unable to respond.
 
The sixth inning remained scoreless, as pitching and defense controlled play on both sides. Ithaca collected a single from Sydney Miranda but left her stranded, while RIT went down in order in the bottom half.
 
RIT mounted a late rally in the bottom of the seventh, loading the bases with two outs after a pair of walks and a fielder's choice. However, Ithaca's defense held firm, with Taylor Brunn recording a strikeout to end the game and preserve the 4–2 victory, while earning her third save of the season.
 
RIT 4, ITHACA 3 (F-9 innings)
The Ithaca College softball team dropped the second game of its doubleheader to the RIT Tigers in a hard-fought extra-inning battle on Saturday. The Bombers came out with energy and executed early, getting on the board in the top of the first inning. Haley Petrucci sent a fly ball out to right field that allowed Anna Bello to tag up and score after a throwing error by the Tigers' outfielder, giving Ithaca a quick 1–0 lead.
 
Ithaca built on that momentum in the second inning with a strong offensive push. Cate Murray crossed the plate on a groundout by Sydney Miranda, a play that also advanced Elise Waddington to third base. Shortly after, Waddington capitalized on a passed ball to score, extending the Bombers' lead to 3–0 and putting early pressure on RIT. For much of the game, Ithaca's pitching and defense held the Tigers in check.
 
Madison Collins was effective in the circle, finishing with seven strikeouts. The Bombers appeared in control heading into the later innings, but RIT mounted a comeback in the bottom of the sixth. The Tigers capitalized on a series of opportunities to tie the game.
 
Sylvia White reached on a single and advanced to second on an error, setting the stage for a multi-run inning. Taryn Jones scored first, followed by Kate Carlone, who advanced to third and came around to score. Carlianna Ewing also crossed the plate during the rally, evening the score at 3–3 and shifting the momentum in favor of RIT.
 
With the score tied, both teams battled through a tense stretch of extra innings. Each side had chances, but strong defensive plays and timely pitching kept the game deadlocked.
 
That changed in the bottom of the ninth inning when the Tigers delivered the decisive blow. Madison Passineau hit a walk-off RBI single, bringing home White from third base and securing the win for RIT. Despite the loss, Madison Schoenenberger and Anna Bello each recorded two hits to lead the Bombers offensively, while Collins' seven strikeouts highlighted a solid outing in the circle.
 
With the result, the Bombers now sit at 10-2 in conference play as they approach the final stretch of the regular season. Rochester dropped a game to Union on Sunday, setting up next weekend as the decisive doubleheader in the race for the regular-season title.
 
Ithaca will return to action on Tuesday, April 28, for its final non-conference doubleheader against SUNY Geneseo. The team will then close out conference play next Saturday, May 2 against the YellowJackets and need to sweep to earn the No. 1 seed going into the Liberty League Championship tournament.