St. Lawrence University Athletics

Deanna Sullivan went 4-for-8 and Mylea Mann hit a two-run home run to lead the St. Lawrence University softball team in a split with RIT on Friday afternoon at Saints Softball Field.

The Saints won the opener 4-3, then fell in game two by the same score.

Center fielder Taylor Armijo caught a line drive and threw out an RIT baserunner at second to clinch the victory for the Saints in the first game of the day.

Saints' starting pitcher Madison Mitchell pitched out of bases loaded jams in both the first and second innings, and Angelina Carney gave the Saints a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second with an RBI single up the middle.

The Saints added three more runs in the third inning, with Emma Reakes hitting a bases loaded single through the left side to score two runs, and Caitlin Syphurs scoring on a wild pitch later in the inning.

RIT responded with three runs in the top of the fourth, with Danielle Hotz hitting an RBI single, then scoring on an RBI double by Olivia Doret. 

Allie Courtwright came on in relief for the Saints and allowed one inherited runner to score, as Tia Aunkst drew a bases loaded walk, but ended the rally with a strikeout to end the inning.

Carney was 2-for-3 in the opener, and Sullivan and Armijo were both 2-for-4, as the Saints outhit the Tigers, 9-5.

Courtwright earned the victory, allowing just two hits in 3.2 innings of relief. She walked two and struck out three to improve to 3-4 on the season. 

Lauren Mahar took the loss for RIT, allowing nine hits and three earned runs with four strikeouts and three walks in a complete-game effort.

The Saints fell into a 4-0 hole in the second game, with RIT taking advantage of two errors to score three unearned runs in the third inning. Alexandria Lunderman drew a bases loaded walk and Tia Aunskt hit a two-run single in the third, and Danielle Hotz added an RBI triple to deep right field in the fourth.

Alexandra Barter scored on a RBI double by Mann in the fifth inning, and Mann cut the lead to one with a line drive home run over the left field wall with one out in the seventh inning, but RIT starting pitcher Sierra Valentine retired the next two St. Lawrence batters to end the rally and secure the win.

Valentine allowed two earned runs and struck out 10 with no walks and seven hits allowed in the complete game victory. 

Erin Guinan was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Danielle Hotz was 2-for-4 for the Tigers, who moved to 17-8 overall, 4-2 in the Liberty League.

Mann was 2-for-3 with three RBI for the Saints (13-7, 3-3), while Sullivan was 2-for-4 at the top of the lineup. Hannah Sears came on in relief of Mitchell, pitching the final 4.1 innings and allowing one run on two hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

The Saints' next scheduled game is on Tuesday at 3 p.m. at SUNY Potsdam.