ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Ithaca College softball team secured a 3-1 victory over Rochester on Friday afternoon, earning a spot in the Liberty League Championship game. The Yellowjackets saw their nine-game winning streak at Southside Field during the Liberty League Championship tournament snapped and are now 56-3 on their home field since 2020.
The Bombers took an early lead in the top of the first inning when Kailen Winkelblech reached on a fielding error, allowing Cate Murray to score. Rochester quickly responded in the bottom of the inning with a solo home run from leadoff hitter Bailey Nicholoff, tying the game at 1-1.
Ithaca threatened to regain the lead in the top of the third inning, but Cate Murray was tagged out at home on a failed steal attempt. The Bombers then had runners on the corners with two outs in the top of the fifth inning, and Kailen Winkelblech delivered a clutch RBI single through the middle of the infield, making it 2-1. In the bottom half of the frame, Rochester saw a walk and a Nicholoff single, but Anna Cornell worked her way out of the jam with a strikeout, a shallow fly ball in the infield, and a ground out to Ava Rao.
In the sixth inning, the Bombers added an insurance run when Belle de Oliveira singled home Anna Bello, who had drawn a walk to open the frame. This hit also chased Rochester's starter Molly Brocollo from the pitching circle. Ithaca was unable to add more more offense against reliever Maddie White who escaped the bases loaded jam.
Rochester threatened to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh inning when Savannah Nowak and Nicholoff worked back-to-back walks. However, Anna Cornell locked in, striking out Riley Laygo, inducing an infield fly, and recording the final out when Sela Scheinman caught a Rowan Mulholland liner. Cornell limited the 'Jackets to just four hits while recording nine strikeouts.
The Bombers return to the Liberty League Championship game for the first time since the 2023 season. Ithaca will face RPI on Saturday, Maty 10. The Engineers defeated Rochester, 5-2, in Game 4 of the tournament. First pitch on Saturday is slated for 12 p.m., with the if-necessary game to follow