SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Skidmore College softball team put forth a valiant effort but it wasn't enough, dropping a doubleheader to 14^th-ranked Ithaca at Wagner Park Friday afternoon. Skidmore dropped a dramatic game one by a 4-3 score in 10 innings, then were shut out 4-0 in game two.
 
Skidmore falls to 16-18 overall and 4-6 in league games. Ithaca remains unbeaten in league contests at 10-0 (21-5-1 overall).
 
GAME ONE
 
Skidmore went toe-to-toe with the defending league champs in the first game. The Thoroughbreds took early advantage with a one-out, two-run homer to left center by Hannah Davis in the opening inning, taking a 2-0 lead.
 
Ithaca worked to tie the contest, getting a run in both the third and fourth innings to tie the game. The game then turned into a battle of wills, with Davis and Ithaca reliever Emily Holden matching zeros through five and a half innings.
 
In the 10^th inning, the International Tie Breaker rule came into effect and Ithaca took advantage, as Abby Shields hit a one-out, two-run double to take a 4-2 lead.
 
Skidmore put up a fight in the bottom of the inning. Maddie Nelson started on second before Davis drew a two-out walk. Delaney Corbet followed with an RBI knock to left center, cutting Ithaca's lead to 4-3. The Bombers then got Genesis Delgado to ground out to short to end the game.
 
The Thoroughbreds mustered nine hits in game one. Davis and Emily Popp each went 2-for-4. Megan White, Corbet, Nelson, Delgado, and Kaitlyn Judd also tallied a hit. Davis (8-6) took the loss but allowed just three earned through 10 innings pitched, striking out two batters. For Ithaca, Holden (6-2) picked up the win in relief, striking out eight in eight innings. Shields went 3-for-5.
 
 
GAME TWO
Skidmore was active at the plate with seven hits in game two, but couldn't get a run together to put pressure on the Bombers. Ithaca scored in the second inning of game two with an RBI double from Annie Cooney, giving the Bombers a 1-0 lead.
 
Skidmore threatened to score in the third and fourth innings. In the third, Popp and Heather Mak singled to get on first and second, respectively. Karly Fishkin then reached on a fielder's choice, with Mak out a second base. Fishkin then tried to force a run down to bring Popp home from third, but Popp was tagged out at home to end the threat. In the fourth, Davis and Hannah Paolucci reached base, with runners on first and second with one out. Delgado then singled up the middle, but an accurate throw by the Ithaca center fielder was enough to get Davis out at home plate. Judd then flied out to end the threat.
 
Ithaca pulled away with a run in the sixth inning, and two in the seventh.
 
Delgado led Skidmore with two hits, going 2-for-3. Popp (6-9) was credited with the loss, striking out two batters in seven innings pitched. Beth Fleming improved to 9-1 for Ithaca, pitching a complete game shutout, striking out six.
 
UP NEXT: Skidmore will look to bounce back, hosting Union in a Saturday doubleheader from Wagner Park. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.