The St. Lawrence University softball team, which averaged 8.7 runs per game over the first 14 games to get out to the best start in program history, struggled to get going on Sunday and were swept by Rensselaer, 10-2, and 8-0, in a Liberty League doubleheader.
The Saints, who swept Union on Saturday, fell to 12-4 overall, 2-2 in Liberty League play.
After the Saints fell behind 2-0 in the bottom of the first in the first game,
Mylea Mann hit a two-run home run to tie the game in the top of the second, but it was the only hit the Saints had off Engineer starting pitcher Stephanie Caudle, who struck out seven and walked two in a five-inning complete game.
Devan Puhl led RPI at the plate, going 3-for-4 with four RBI. Cam Caswell and Allie Hunt were both 2-for-2, and Victoria Greco and Chelsea Elliott were both 2-for-3 for the Engineers.
Madison Mitchell, who won her first eight decisions, suffered her first career loss, allowing five runs in 1.0+ innings.
Taylor Armijo,
Deanna Sullivan and
Elle Gray started the second game off with three straight singles, but the Saints were unable to take advantage, leaving the bases loaded with a pair of strikeouts and a groundout.
The Engineers took a 7-0 lead with four runs in the third inning, with Hunt capping the inning with a three-run home run. Christine White went 2-for-2 for RPI, and Caudle went 2-for-3 with two RBI.
Mann and
Alexandra Barter had the other hits for the Saints.
Jaime Cleasby struck out four in a six-inning complete-game effort for RPI (12-4, 2-0), allowing five hits and one walk.
Allie Courtwright took the loss for the Saints, allowing five earned runs on six hits in 2.1 innings.
The Saints will head to Vermont for a non-league doubleheader at Middlebury on Wednesday.
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