GENESEO, NY – SUNY Geneseo won the ultimate pitcher's duel in game one, then broke out the long ball in the second game to sweep a softball doubleheader from the University of Rochester at Vic Raschi Field on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Knights (2-0) spoiled a terrific pitching performance by Rochester's Hannah Leahy to win game one, 1-0. In the nightcap, the hosts hit a pair of two-run home runs enroute to a 6-1 victory. Rochester is 1-3.
 
Geneseo's Lauren Kersch threw a one-hitter in game two as Geneseo got back to back complete game performances.
 
Game One:
Hannah Leahy bounced back from a rocky first inning to throw a 2-hitter but the hosts turned one of the hits into the gamewinning run in the bottom of the sixth.
 
Leahy allowed two hits, two walks, hit two batsmen, and fanned four in six innings of work. Over a four-inning span, she retired 13 of 15. Geneseo's Nicole Schwartz scattered six hits to the Yellowjackets.
 
UR had baserunners in every inning. Hannah Keiper singled with two down in the first before Alizah Ayon bounced out. In the second, Jen Carson doubled to right center but Schwartz retired three in a row.
 
The Yellowjackets posted their biggest challenge in the fourth. With one out, Carson singled up the middle. Madi Turner followed with a single to center. Toni Anne Hahn fouled out but pinch hitter Erin Bevec grounded up the middle. The ball was misplayed, filling the bases. Schwartz induced a comebacker by Sammi Re and Schwartz forced Carson at the plate.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, Audrey Minton doubled down the right field line. Leahy walked Taylor Riccardi. Alexandra Koutsogia grounded to short with the runners advancing. Olivia Fazio flied out to center with Minton scoring.
 
Leahy was tough in a jam in the first inning. She walked Rachel Mihlsten. On the ensuing sac bunt, her throw pulled Hannah Keiper off the bag. Mihlsten advanced to second, started for third, but was caught in a rundown and thrown out by Alexis Pope throwing to Turner. Minton reached on another throwing error. Leahy got a strikeout before hitting a batter to load the bases. She escaped by inducing a popup back to the mound.
 
Game Two:
Kersch surrendered one hit – a home run by Carson in the top of the second to reduce the Geneseo lead to 2-1. After that, she retired 18 straight.
 
Emily Sharlach started the nightcap for UR and took the loss. In two innings, she gave up two hits, allowed two earned runs, and walked one. Abbie Biggs started the third inning and finished the game. In four innings, she allowed three hits – one was a home run – four runs (two were earned), walked two, and fanned two.
 
Geneseo jumped ahead right away. Leah VanDewar singled before Seegar hit a two-run home run to left. Sharlach walked Minton, then retired six in a row to get through the second. Biggs yielded an unearned run in the third. VanDewar doubled. Seegar's bunt was thrown away, allowing VanDewar to score. Biggs retired six in a row. In the fifth, she gave up a leadoff walk and three batters later, Minton homered.
 
The Yellowjackets will play a non-conference doubleheader at St. John Fisher College on Wednesday. UR opens the Liberty League season next weekend, facing St. Lawrence in a home-and-home doubleheader set. The teams play in Canton on Saturday, then come to Rochester on Sunday.