Liberty League sweep fuels softball

The UR softball team took the Liberty League by storm this past weekend, sweeping Skidmore College and Union College in its first four Liberty League games.

Three of the four victories were shutouts. The Yellowjackets gave up just one run in all four games — it came in the nightcap of the Union doubleheader.

Senior pitcher Beth Ameno had a solid weekend for the team, earning three of the four wins and improving her record on the mound to 17-7. She also helped her own cause from behind the plate with some critical hits.

In the first game against the Skidmore College Thoroughbreds, Ameno pitched a one-hitter, tallying a whopping 15 strikeouts and one walk.

But she wasn’t the only one hot — her team backed her up with 11 hits in the 6-0 win.

Sophomore infielder Lindsay Macaluso and sophomore outfielder Liz Slupinski came through strong, tallying three hits apiece in the game.

UR took control in the third inning when it posted five-straight hits and five RBIs, each from a different player.

Ameno drove in an RBI double, and junior catcher Juliana Nicholson followed suit with one of her own.

In the following inning, Macaluso’s double, a sacrifice bunt and Slupinski’s two-out double produced the sixth and final run of the game.

In the second matchup that day, the ’Jackets showcased a fresh pitcher, freshman Sara Hutchinson, who maintained the high standard set by Ameno. Hutchinson allowed just four hits, racked up 10 strikeouts and surrendered no walks. She improved her season record to 6-3.

It seemed as if Skidmore might put together a run in the second inning. The first two batters singled, but both were thrown out at third base. Hutchinson ended the threat with a strikeout.

The third inning was again critical for UR. Macaluso led off with a double. Freshman outfielder Katie McLean reached first plate, thanks to a two-base error from Skidmore that scored Macaluso.

Freshman infielder Nikki DiSalvio finished the inning with a single, scoring McLean and upping the final score to 2-0.

The next day, Ameno was back to throwing when the team faced the Union College Dutchwomen. She allowed four hits, fanned three and walked two.

UR got going early when it scored two runs in the second inning. Slupinski started the scoring with a single. Ameno hit a misplayed bunt, placing two runners on base.

Sophomore infielder Erin Clark then placed a single to center, which was overrun and scored both runners for a 2-0 advantage. She was thrown out while running to third.

The Dutchwomen got two runners on base in the second inning, but Ameno quickly ended the inning with three consecutive pop-outs. Union threatened again in the fourth inning, advancing runners to both second and third, but Ameno posted a strikeout followed by a liner to short.

In the sixth inning, Ameno posted an RBI single, scoring the pinch-runner and sealing the deal for the 3-0 win. Ameno pitched another complete game in the nightcap. This time, she tallied five strikeouts and one walk.

UR took a 1-0 advantage in the third inning. Senior outfielder Mindy Altemose walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch. She got to third on a sac bunt by senior infielder Brittany Celeste and then scored on a passed ball.

The ’Jackets rallied again in the fifth. Clark started things off with a single and then advanced to second on a misplayed ball. With two down, Celeste singled to right field, driving Clark home.

The Dutchwomen ended the Yellowjackets’ shutout weekend in the sixth.

With two down, their last chance batter hit a home run to get on the scoreboard, 2-1. The next batter singled and was followed by a fly-ball to right, which was dropped when two players collided. With runners on second and third, Ameno ended the inning with a strikeout.

Ameno topped off her strong weekend with three consecutive strikeouts, ending the game 2-1.

Yesterday, UR continued its winning ways, sweeping Utica College in a doubleheader with 6-4 and 4-3 wins.

The Yellowjackets are now 25-10 overall and 4-0 in the Liberty League, and in the coming weeks, will be looking to win their third consecutive Liberty League title.

Hilliard is a member of the class of 2010.