MIDDLEBURY, Vermont  – The Skidmore College softball team won the opening game 10-4, but Middlebury rebounded for a 5-2 triumph in the nightcap.

Skidmore (8-12) is back on the field Sunday for a home twin bill against St. Lawrence at 1:00 p.m. Middlebury is 6-6.

In the opening contest, the Thoroughbreds struck for five runs in the top of the second to take the early lead. Karly Fishkin, Dani DeGregory and May-Lin McEvoy each plated runs with RBI singles, while DeGregory made it 4-0 scoring on an error and McEvoy raced home on a wild pitch to cap the big inning.

The Panthers cut into the deficit in the bottom of the fourth with a pair of unearned runs..

In the top of the fifth, Skidmore made it a 6-2 game when Jill Strileckis stole home after Fishkin walked and got in a rundown between first and second.

Middlebury pulled two within two runs (6-4) in the last of the sixth, but the Thoroughbreds added four runs in the top of the seventh, as Lauren Fortunato had the big hit in the inning, a three-run double, extending their lead to 10-4.

Amanda Carilli tossed a complete game for Skidmore, allowing four runs (two earned) on nine hits for her sixth victory of the season. She also benefitted from a solid defense that turned three double plays. Fortunato reached base four times in the opener with her three-run double and three walks, while McEvoy picked up two hits and scored twice.

In the second game, the hosts struck early with three runs in the bottom of the first inning.   The Panthers added two more runs in the second for a 5-0 lead.

 The Thoroughbreds chipped into the deficit with a run in the top of the third as DeGregory and McEvoy smacked back-to-back triples. In the fourth, Cassie Fishkin belted a solo home run over the left-center field fence, making it a 5-2 game.

Casey Attonito took the loss for Skidmore, giving up five runs on 13 hits. Cassie Fishkin had a homer for the Thoroughbreds and McEvoy and DeGregory each tripled.