ROCHESTER, N.Y.- The Ithaca College softball team delivered a commanding performance on Friday morning, defeating No. 24 nationally ranked University of Rochester, 11–2, in five innings during the Liberty League Championship semifinals. With the victory, the Bombers improved to 23–10 overall and secured their spot in the Liberty League Championship game for the second consecutive season. Ithaca now has the opportunity to defend its conference title.
In the top of the second inning, the Bombers struck first with
Cate Murray walking to lead off the inning, followed by a hit into center field from
Kailen Winkelblech. Murray and Winkelblech then completed a double steal to get both runners in scoring position.
Isabella Maynard then drove in the first run of the inning with a fielder's choice that put runners at the corners.
Ava Rao loaded the bases after getting hit by a pitch, allowing
Sydney Miranda to drive in two more runs with a single into left field, giving the Bombers a 3-0 lead.
In the third inning, the Bombers got back-to-back one-out hits from Murray and Winkelblech to set the table for Rao, who hit a three-run bomb to right center field to give Ithaca a 6-0 advantage.
In the fourth inning,
Anna Bello earned a one-out walk, followed by a single from
Madison Schoenenberger to put runners at the corners.
Haley Petrucci cleared the bases with Ithaca's second home run of the day to make it 9-0. However, in the bottom of the frame, the YellowJackets fought back by earning a walk, and Rowan Mulholland hit a two-run shot to left field to make it 9-2.
The Bombers loaded the bases to start the fifth inning with only one-out after Miranda struck a double;
Jessie Lopez hit a single, and Bello walked. Schoenenberger came up next, hitting a single into left field to make it 11-2. Ithaca closed out the game with
Mady Rowell throwing a clean fifth frame to finish out the 11-2 win.
Pitching 3.1 innings in her start,
Taylor Brunn allowed two hits and two runs, to go with two strikeouts; meanwhile, in relief Rowell pitched 1.2 scoreless frames, without allowing a base runner.
The Bombers return to action Saturday at 12 p.m. in the Liberty League Championship game. Ithaca will face the winner of Rochester and either RPI or St. Lawrence, who are set to square off in a 3 p.m. semifinal matchup on Friday. Due to the tournament format, Ithaca needs just one win on Saturday to claim the championship, while its opponent must defeat the Bombers twice to earn the title.
