ALBANY – The College of Saint Rose softball team left 15 runners on base and visiting American International College got solid relief pitching to grab a sweep of a Northeast-10 Conference twin-bill at the Plumeri Sports Complex today. The Yellow Jackets (9-11/2-0 NE-10) took game one 2-1 and rallied for a 4-2 triumph in the nightcap.

Four different players had at least two hits for Saint Rose (3-13/1-5 NE-10) in the opener. Senior shortstop Ashley Anderson and sophomore second baseman Kayla Kuilema each went 2-for-4, while senior first baseman Lauren Ruggerio and junior center fielder Katie Ives finished 2-for-3.

Sophomore left fielder Michele Niejadlik drove in both runs for American International on the way to a 3-for-4 effort. Sophomore first baseman Sarah Calgreen wound up 2-for-4 and freshman Elizabeth Habib tossed 3.0 innings of shutout ball en route to her first save of the year.

The two clubs stranded a combined 29 runners throughout the afternoon. Regardless, the Yellow Jackets loaded the bases in their first at-bat following a single, walk and a hit batter. Sophomore right-hander Courtney Galuski got the Golden Knights a double-play ball, but Niejadlik delivered a two-run single to center field that proved to be the difference.

Saint Rose managed to cut its deficit in half right away in the bottom of the frame. Kuilema and junior designated player Nicole Traylor belted back-to-back doubles to trade places with each other and make it a 2-1 ballgame.

The Golden Knights tried to gain some momentum in the bottom of the seventh following five scoreless innings by both squads. Sophomore right fielder Lindsey David singled down the right field line to lead things off. Anderson then tried to move David up a base with a sacrifice bunt, but David got caught too far off second leaving Saint Rose with two outs and the bases empty.

In game two, Saint Rose jumped in front 2-0 on the strength of a two-run double by Ruggerio. Prior to that, junior catcher Nikki Woodard got things started with a single and sophomore third baseman Jessica Butterbrodt reached on an error.
 
Sophomore left-hander Sarah Arbogast carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning in her second consecutive start for the Golden Knights, but to no avail. Calgreen walked to begin the inning, senior second baseman Nicole Benoit was hit by a pitch and freshman third baseman Stephanie Belanger singled to center field to break things up. That set the stage for senior shortstop Michelle Franey, who promptly cleared the bases with a grand slam that put American International on top for good 4-2.

Arbogast surrendered just two hits while fanning 10 over the distance. Habib fell in line for her fourth victory of the year after firing 4.0 innings of scoreless relief with five strikeouts for the Yellow Jackets.

Woodard, Ruggerio and Ives each finished 2-for-3 to pace an eight-hit attack for Saint Rose.

The Golden Knights will have six days before they return to league action. They hit the road following six straight home games when they visit Southern Connecticut State University for a 3:00 pm NE-10 doubleheader in New Haven, CT. American International has a short rest before meeting Le Moyne College tomorrow at 11:00 am in Syracuse. 

Box Score - Game 1

Box Score - Game 2