SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.—The Skidmore College softball team opened Liberty League play Saturday, dropping two to RIT 3-0 and 8-1.
 
The Thoroughbreds are 8-16 overall and 0-2 in league play, while the Tigers improve to 15-6 and 2-0. 
 
The first game, Skidmore pitcher Amanda Carilli and RIT thrower Lauren Mahar hooked up in a pitcher's duel with no score through five innings.
 
The Tigers put together three unearned runs in the sixth for what would be the 3-0 final.
 
Kristina Foley and Jill Strileckis were 1-3 each for Skidmore. Carilli (5-7) finished with three unearned runs on 10 hits and one walk. She struck out three.
 
Erin Guinan was 4-4 with an RBI for the Tigers. Alexa Farner was 2-3 with an RBI. Mahar had the two-hit shutout. She walked five and struck out five.
 
RIT broke open a 1-0 game two with three in the fifth and four in the sixth on the way to the 8-1 win.
 
Lauren Fortunato was 2-3 with a double and run. She also had a double play, gunning down Danielle Hotz when she tried to score on a fly to center. Starter Emily Popp (3-9) allowed four runs (three earned) in 4 1/3 on eight hits and one walk. She had two strikeouts.
 
Guinan homered to lead off the game. She reached base all four times for the second straight game, going 2-2 with three runs and two intentional walks. Tori Blaker and Alexandria Lunderman was 2-4. Blaker had three RBI. Sierra Valentine (6-2) allowed one unearned run in seven innings on four hits. She walked two and had six strikeouts.
 
Skidmore continues its home league weekend with a pair on Sunday at 1 p.m. against defending Liberty champion Rochester.