TROY, N.Y. – Rochester scored six unearned runs in the second inning enroute to an 8-0 mercy rule victory over Union College in the Liberty League softball championships hosted by RPI.
 
The win puts Rochester into a 2:30 pm elimination game vs. RPI on Friday. The winner of the UR-RPI game will advance to Saturday's championship round and play Ithaca. The Bombers beat RPI, 5-3, in a Friday morning matchup of winners from Thursday. Ithaca defeated Rochester, 6-1, and RPI beat Union, 8-0, in six innings. The UR-RPI survivor would have to beat Ithaca twice on Saturday to earn the Liberty League's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs.
 

Hannah Leahy was the beneficiary of Rochester's breakthrough. In five innings, she allowed four hits, walked one, and struck out two. Her record is 10-9. Dana Dolinko started for Union. She allowed seven hits in 1.2 innings, walked one, and gave up the six unearned runs. She walked one. Catherine  Raeter pitched 2.1 innings of relief, allowing three hits, two earned runs, and no walks with four strikeouts. Dolinko finished her season at 3-10.
 
Marissa Russo had three RBIs for Rochester and was 2-2 at the plate. Lydia Petricca had two RBIs on a 1-3 afternoon. Michaela Farmer was 2-2 and scored both times. Eight UR players had hits.
 
In the bottom of the second, Rochester loaded the bases on a single by Leahy and bunt singles from Farmer and Sammi Re. Harleigh Kaczegowitz bounced to the shortstop whose throw home was wild. Leahy and Farmer scored with Re moving to third and Kaczegowicz reaching second. Russo's sac fly increased the lead to 3-0. Gianna Melillo's double scored Kaczegowitz and two batters later, Petricca doubled to center to push the lead to six.
 
In the third, Kaczegowitz doubled home Farmer and scored herself when Russo pulled a single through the left side.
 
Rochester is 16-15 overall with the victory. The Yellowjackets were swept by RPI in a doubleheader in April. Union finished its season at 8-20.