First-year pitcher Allie Courtwright and the Saints softball team held league-leading RPI scoreless through eight innings in the first game of a conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon, but the Engineers scored three in the top of the ninth to win 3-0 and also took game two 6-0 in the sweep.

With the wins the Engineers improve to 20-6 overall and 5-1 in conference games, while the Saints fall to 8-15 and 1-5 against Liberty League opponents.

The first game was a pitcher's duel, as Courtwright allowed one run on eight hits in eight innings of work in the first game, while also tying her season high with six strikeouts against the Engineers. RPI's Stephanie Caudle threw a complete-game, five-hit shutout with seven strikeouts of her own.

Courtwright's final strikeout of the game came in the top of the sixth inning with RPI threatening with the bases loaded, but she froze pinch hitter Christine White with a pitch on the outside corner to get the Saints out of the jam and keep the game scoreless.

Elle Gray led the Saints with two hits in the opening game, while Emma Reakes and Mylea Mann each recorded a hit apiece. Both teams left 10 runners on base.

RPI manufactured three runs in the top of the ninth thanks to a lead-off double, back-to-back bunts; one as a sac the other as an RBI fielder's choice, and two more hits in the inning for the eventual 3-0 winning margin.

The Saints were retired in order in the bottom half of the frame to end the game.

In game two, the Engineers scored three runs in the first two innings and added three more in the fourth for their 6-0 advantage.

Starter Emma Gailey, who also pitched an inning of relief in game one, took the loss in the second game, as she threw one and two-thirds innings and allowed three runs on four hits with two strikeouts. Reliever Hannah Sears allowed three runs on six hits with three strikeouts through five and a third.

The Engineers were led by Danielle Puhl and Caudle, who each had three hits, while five Saints recorded a hit in the contest: Kylee Knight, Elle Gray, Emma Reakes, Kelsey Murphy and Abrianna Schlickenmayer.

The Saints will conclude their home schedule with a Liberty League doubleheader on Sunday afternoon against Union, with game times slated for 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.