HOUGHTON, NY—A pair of big innings in both games vaulted the RIT Tigers past the Houghton Highlanders softball team on Thursday night, 7-0 and 8-3.
Game 1: The Tigers got on the board early, plating three runs in the top of the first on a walk and three hits.
Houghton starter
Taylor Sile (Hilton, NY, Hilton ) settled in, allowing only one hit and zero runs over the next three innings.
In the fifth, though, the Tigers broke through. With one out RIT loaded the bases with a pair of infield singles and a single up the middle before senior Amanda Cook cleared them all with a triple to centerfield.
Lauren Mahar picked up the win on the mound, tossing a complete game one-hitter while striking out eight.
Bailey Shattell (Syracuse, NY, Faith Heritage ) picked up the only hit and only walk for the Highlanders.
Game 2: RIT broke through what looked to be a potential pitchers' duel in the third. With two outs a walk and an infield single loaded the bases. Another walk brought home the game's first run before Sam Killian doubled just inside the first base bag, clearing the bases and giving the Tigers a 4-0 lead.
The visitors stretched their lead to seven in the top of the fourth on a one-out, two-run single to right field.
Houghton looked to rally in the fifth, loading the bases with two outs when Shattell smashed a bases-clearing double to centerfield.
That, however, would be as close as the Highlanders would come as Tigers pitcher Sierra Valentine buckled down and would not allow another run.
Valentine went the distance, allowing only three hits and three walks while striking out seven.
Houghton reliever
Nicole Fata (Archbald, PA, Valley View ) pitched 3.2 innings, giving up a single unearned run on two hits and one walk and collected one strikeout.
Shattell stretched her hit streak to eight games and has reached base in nine consecutive and 16 of the last 17 contests.
Houghton returns to action tomorrow night at the Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex when they will take on conference foe St. John Fisher College. The Cardinals are currently ranked #3 in the Northeast Region and #24 in the nation in Division III.
