Houghton, NY–Russell Sage College's softball team travelled to Houghton College for an Empire 8 twin bill on Saturday.  The Gators needed extra innings but took the first game 8-6 in eight innings. RSC added a 6-2 win in the nightcap to stand at 4-0 overall and 4-0 in the Empire 8. Houghton is now 1-9 overall and 1-3 in the Empire 8.

Game #1   Sage 8-6 Houghton (8 Innings)

The Gators jumped out to a 5-0 lead with five runs in the top of the second inning, but the Highlanders gradually clawed their way back to tie the game at 6-6 with three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.  In the top of the eighth, sophomore Erika Markowski (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) reached on a walk before rookie infielder Samantha Larsen (Mount Marion, NY/Saugerties) was hit by a pitch. Junior Kate Keeley (Waterbury, CT/Sacred Heart) had a sac bunt advancing the runners a base. Markowski scored on a wild pitch by Houghton's Kayla Loomis to give the Gators a 7-6 lead. Rookie Isabella Vano (Yorktown Heights, NY/Yorktown) grounded out to drive in Larsen and spot the Gators to an 8-6 lead as they held Houghton scoreless in the bottom of the eighth inning.

At the plate junior Taylor Dicranian (Bennington, VT/Mt. Anthony Union) added a double with two RBI's and was 3-3. She also worked for the Gators in the circle and collected the win to move to 2-0 as she allowed two earned runs off 8 hits with three strikeouts. Sophomore Makayla Lindsey (New Fairfield, CT/New Fairfield) also worked as she had 4 earned runs off 3 hits with 4 walks and a strikeout in two innings of work.

Game # 2   Sage 6-2 Houghton

The Gators had a big fifth inning in the nightcap after trailing 2-o after three innings. In the fifth inning, sophomore Katelyn Rice (Albany, NY/Colonie Central) had a single and scored on a two run home run to right center by junior Arianna Papas (Castleton, NY/Maple Hill). Markowski added an RBI double to give the Gators a 5-2 lead after five innings. In the sixth inning, Dicranian collected an RBI double to give RSC a 6-2 lead heading into the middle of the inning.

The Gators combined for 11 hits in the game with four extra base hits.

Dicranian was 2-3 with two RBI's, and had two doubles in the game, while Rice was 2-4 with two runs scored. Papas, who earned Empire 8 Softball Player of the Week honors this past week, was 1-4 with two RBI's and a run scored. Rookie infielder Ally Murphy (Gill, MA/Turners Falls) went 2 for 3 at the plate, while Larsen drove in two runs as well.

Dicranian worked seven innings in the circle and scattered five hits with one earned run and walked and struck out three along the way. She stands at 3-0 this year.

Houghton's Loomis suffered the loss after five earned runs off 11 hits with four strikeouts as she is now 0-6.

PLEASE NOTE THE RSC HOME EMPIRE 8 DOUBLEHEADER WITH ALFRED UNIVERSITY SLATED FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 11 IS PPD DUE TO THE WEATHER. A NEW DATE WILL BE SET SHORTLY.