TROY, N.Y. – The Skidmore College softball team dropped a pair of tightly contested games to RPI in the Liberty League opener for both teams. The Thoroughbreds (7-13, 0-2 Liberty League) lost the first game 2-1 before falling 4-3 in the nightcap.

In the first game, RPI senior pitcher Kristina Weltzin had a no-hitter going into the last inning with the Engineers (11-3, 2-0) holding a 2-0 lead before allowing a one-out single. Weltzin closed out the game allowing four walks with seven strikeouts in seven innings.

After three scoreless innings, RPI broke through in the fourth as Morgan Ten Eyck doubled and later scored on an error. The Engineers doubled their advantage the next inning on a Jena Servidone RBI-double.

Casey Attonito got the only hit for the Thoroughbreds with a single in the seventh eventually scoring on a sacrifice fly by Dani DeGregory. Cassie Fishkin took the loss for Skidmore despite allowing just eight hits over seven innings.

In game two, The Engineers built an early 4-0 lead, scoring two runs in the second and third innings. Stephanie Caudle helped her own cause, belting a two-run homerun in the second and RPI added two more in the third, scoring on two hits and two Skidmore errors.

Amanda Carilli kept the Engineers off the board over the next three innings, and the Thoroughbreds bats came alive in the top of the sixth. DeGregory reached with a walk and after Lizette Roman-Johnston singled in the next at-bat, Lauren Forunato produced Skidmore's first run with an RBI single to left. Fishkin brought Skidmore within one two batters later, driving a two-run double to right. However, Caudle managed to hold the Thoroughbreds to a single in the seventh inning, securing the one-run victory.

Caudle allowed three runs on four hits while striking out four over seven innings. Carilli took the loss, surrendering four runs (two earned) on eight hits in six innings.

Skidmore returns to the diamond Tuesday, April 7, hosting MCLA. The first game is scheduled for 3:30 pm.