SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- The Skidmore College softball team will look to capture its first ever conference title when it begins play at the Liberty League tournament 2 p.m. Thursday, April 29 at RPI.
 
The Thoroughbreds (12-18, 7-3 Liberty League) swept Clarkson University Saturday, earning the program's second ever berth and first since 2010  into the Liberty League playoffs.
 
Freshman Lauren Fortunato leads the team in every major statistical batting category. She has a batting average of .374, a .571 slugging percentage and a .437 on-base percentage. Her four triples rank first in the conference and she ranks tied for third with 11 stolen bases.
 
Sophomore catcher Mackenzie Whiting has produced a team-high 21 RBI and nine doubles and is tied for first with two home runs. She is tied for first on the team with two home runs and ranks second on the team with a .482 slugging percentage and 41 total bases.
 
The Thoroughbreds will face top-seeded RPI in the opening game of the tournament. The teams split their season series as Skidmore rallied from three runs down for a 6-4 win in game two.
 
Scouting the Field
 
RPI Engineers (20-16, 10-2 Liberty League)
Last Meeting: April 5, 2014 – L, 10-4/W, 6-4
League Rankings
Batting
Batting Average: 3 (.306)
Slugging Pct.: 3 (.405)
On Base Pct: 3 (.363)
Runs Scored: 3 (177)
Hits 3 (268)
RBI: 3 (146)
Doubles: 2 (54)
Triples: 4 (4)
Home Runs: 3 (9)
Total Bases: 3 (410)
Pitching
ERA: 2 (2.57)
Strikeouts: 2 (190)
Hits allowed: 2 (208)
Earned Runs Allowed: 3 (83)
Walks Allowed: 5 (85)
 
 
University of Rochester Yellowjackets (21-10, 10-2 Liberty League)
Last Meeting: April 13, 2014 at Rochester – L, 11-3 (6 inn.)/L, 12-0 (5 inn.)
League Rankings
Batting
Batting Average: 1 (.328)
Slugging Pct.: 2 (.463)
On Base Pct: 1 (.388)
Runs Scored: 2 (191)
Hits 1 (290)
RBI: 2 (165)
Doubles: 3 (46)
Triples: 4 (4)
Home Runs: 2 (22)
Total Bases: 1 (410)
Pitching
ERA: 1 (1.53)
Strikeouts: 3 (178)
Hits allowed: 1 (179)
Earned Runs Allowed: 1 (45)
Walks Allowed: 2 (49)
 
Union College Dutchwomen (19-11, 9-3 Liberty League)
Last Meeting: April 27, 2014 at Union – L, 7-3/L, 9-2
League Rankings
Batting Average: 2 (.324)
Slugging Pct.: 1 (.487)
On Base Pct: 2 (.383)
Runs Scored: 1 (199)
Hits 3 (268)
RBI: 1 (185)
Doubles: 1 (54)
Triples: 4 (4)
Home Runs: 1 (24)
Total Bases: 2 (402)
Pitching
ERA: 3 (3.10)
Strikeouts: 5 (158)
Hits allowed: 4 (239)
Earned Runs Allowed: 3 (83)
Walks Allowed: 1 (28)
 
 
Tournament Schedule
 
Thursday, May 1, 2014
            2:00 pm              Game 1            (1 v. 4) RPI v. Skidmore
            4:30 pm              Game 2            (2 v. 3) Rochester v. Union
Friday, May 2, 2014
            10:00 am            Game 3            Winner G1 v. Winner G2
            12:30 pm            Game 4            Loser G1 v. Loser G2
             3:00 pm             Game 5            Loser G3 v. Winner G4
Saturday, May 3, 2014
             10:00 am            Game 6           Winner G4 v. Winner G5
             2nd Game          Game 7           if needed – final game