The St. Lawrence University softball team gave head coach Elisa VanKirk a lasting memory on Sunday afternoon, sweeping Union College by 7-6 and 6-5 scores in a Liberty League doubleheader at Saints Softball Field.

The games marked the end of Dr. VanKirk's tenure as the Saints' head coach, as she will be shifting responsibilities to a full-time teaching role in the St. Lawrence University Masters of Arts in Leadership program.

It was a season that began with uncertainty, with most teams in the Liberty League making their first efforts to hold athletic contests since sports teams were shut down last spring due to COVID-19.

"Every season has its challenges but this season presented difficulties that were unprecedented," said VanKirk. "I am so proud of this team for their fight, adaptability, and work this season. The future of Saints softball is really bright."

All four seniors played key roles in the wins in their final games for the Saints. Skylar Hein was 4-for-5 at the plate and reached base in 7-of-8 plate appearances. McKailey Lyndaker was the winning pitcher in the first game, allowing just two earned runs. Carolyn Holran was 3-for-6 with two doubles on the day, driving in three runs. And Elizabeth Norton scored a run as a pinch runner in a come-from-behind victory in the second game.

"I want to thank our seniors Beth, Carolyn, McKailey, and Skylar," said VanKirk. "They have given everything they have to their teammates and this program. It was an honor to be their coach.

"Lastly, I want to thank St. Lawrence University. Nine years ago they hired me to be the head coach of this team. I will be forever grateful for my time as the coach and cannot not thank everyone enough for all they have done for me."

The Saints finished the season 7-22 overall and 7-19 in Liberty League play. Union finished the year 8-20 overall and 8-18 in the Liberty League.

Game 1: St. Lawrence 7, Union 6

St. Lawrence scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 7-4 lead and held on for a one-run win in the first game. 

The Saints took a 2-0 lead on an RBI double by Cora Ferguson and a RBI single by Holran in the second inning. Union tied the score in the top of the third with RBI singles by Karson Saunders and Olivia Valery.

St. Lawrence retook the lead when Hein was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the fourth inning, but Union took its first lead with two runs scored on errors in the top of the sixth.

Meredith Rose tied the score a bases loaded single in the sixth, and Gabby Slater gave the Saints the lead with another bases loaded hit. Lauryn Best gave the Saints a three-run cushion with a two-run single.

Union cut the lead to one with an RBI double by Valery and an RBI single by Catie Raeter in the seventh, but Slater took over in the circle for the Saints, getting the final two outs to earn the save.

Holran was 2-for-3 in the game, and Best was 2-for-4 for the Saints. Kayla Minst hit a triple and scored a run for the Saints.

Lyndaker allowed just two earned runs, striking out two with no walks in 6.1 innings for the Saints.

Game 2: St. Lawrence 6, Union 5

Hein and Rose both finished 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the Saints to another win in a close game.

Makayla Koehler gave Union a 1-0 lead with an RBI single in the second inning, but Slater gave the Saints a 2-1 lead with a two-run double in the third.

Union tied the game on an RBI single by Stuart Buxton in the fourth, but Lyndaker's two-run single in the fourth and Holran's two-run double in the fifth gave the Saints a 6-2 lead.

The Dutchwomen once again put together a seventh-inning rally, with Kendall Rogoff plating two runs on a double, and Amanda Granato following with an RBI double of her own. But Slater once again nailed down the victory, getting the final two outs to pick up her second save of the day and third of the season.

Rogoff was 3-for-4 to lead Union at the plate.

Saints' starting pitcher Macey Davis earned her first collegiate win, allowing three runs on nine hits with one walk and one strikeout in five and two-thirds innings pitched.