Big fifth inning pushes RIT past Vikings

CLERMONT, Fla. — A four-run fifth inning was the difference as the Rochester Institute of Technology downed Lawrence University 9-3 in a nonconference game on Tuesday.

The Tigers (3-4) were holding a one-run lead when they picked up six hits, including three doubles, in the fifth to seize control.

Amanda Cook went 4-for-4 and drove in three runs to pace RIT’s 16-hit attack. Lauren Mahar worked four innings of scoreless relief to pick up the win.

Anna Wawiorka collected two hits, including a homer, and drove in two runs to pace Lawrence (5-2). Savanna Marsicek and pitcher Maddie MacLean also had two hits for the Vikings.

MacLean went 4 1/3 innings and gave up seven runs and 12 hits in taking her first loss of the season.

The Tigers led 4-0 before Lawrence struck for all three of its runs in the top of the third. Tierney Duffy led off with a single and Wawiorka followed with a two-run homer to cut the lead in half. The Vikings added another run in the frame on Taylor Dodson’s sacrifice fly.

Lawrence missed several chances to get back in the game by leaving the bases loaded in both the fifth and sixth innings. The Vikings stranded 11 runners for the game.

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