WILKES-BARRE, PA -- The Alfred University softball team split a non-conference doubleheader at Wilkes University Sunday afternoon. After dropping a close 2-1 decision in the opener, the Saxons bounced back in the second game, earning the split with a 4-1 victory.
 
In the second game, AU (21-17) scored single runs in the first and second innings to take an early 2-0 lead. Third baseman Liz Thompson (Horseheads, NYH/Horseheads) reached on an error to lead off the game and moved to second on a sacrifice. Thompson advanced to third on a bunt single off the bat of shortstop Haley Powers (Newark, DE/St. Georges Tech) and came in to score on a single by Amanda Shaffer (Sandyston, NJ/Kittattinny Regional).
 
In the second, first baseman Sophia Chiavatti (Tustin, CA/Foothill) belted a leadoff double and moved to third on a sacrifice before scoring on a sacrifice fly to right by outfielder Becca Alexander (Middletown, DE/Middletown).
 
Wilkes scored a run in the bottom of the second to cut Alfred's lead in half, but the Saxons plated a pair in the fourth to go up by three. Chiavatti was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and second baseman Elena Ceja (Redondo Beach, CA/Redondo Beach Union) followed with a two-run homerun.
 
Thompson (run) and Shaffer each went 2-for-4 and outfielder Brooke Hockeborn (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) was 2-for-3 for AU. Chiavatti had two hits in two at-bats and Ceja drove in two with her second homerun of the year.
 
Dominique D'Andrea (Waterford, NJ/St. Joseph) earned the win for the Saxons, going five innings and allowing a run on three hits and striking out three to improve to 4-0 on the year. Jillian Murray (Eden, NY/Eden) pitched two hitless shutout innings of relief to earn her third save of the year.
 
In the opener, the Saxons took the lead right away, when Thompson led off the game with a homerun, her 13^th of the season. Alfred held the lead until the fifth, when Wilkes scored two runs (one earned) to go ahead for good.
 
Thompson was 2-for-4 with a homerun and double and Hockeborn hit a double, as the Saxons were held to five hits. Chiavatti and D'Andrea each hit singles for Alfred.
 
Jessica Wilcox (Forestville, NY/Pine Valley) took the loss for AU to fall to 4-2 on the year. She went six innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits, striking out four.

Thompson's homerun gave her 127 RBIs for her career, a new school record. She came into the game with 126 RBIs, tied for the school record with Nicole Maher (2013-16). It's the fourth major school career mark Thompson has broken this season; previously she set new standards for hits, homeruns, and stolen bases.

AU wraps up its season Tuesday, May 2, with a 3 p.m. doubleheader at Keuka.