Middlebury took the first game of a double header against visiting Union College 7-2, but dropped the second game 3-1. Both teams return to action on Wednesday, as the Panthers (8-7) host Castleton State in another twin-bill, while the Dutchwomen (7-7) invite Utica College to Schenectady for a pair of games.

Leading 2-1 after three innings in game one, Middlebury scored three runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth for a decisive 7-1 lead. In the fourth, Alyson Downing open with a single, twice moving 60 feet on consecutive infield outs, as Christina Bicks plated her with a two-out infield single. Jessa Hoffman followed with a single before Jessica Poracky knocked both runners home with a double, giving Middlebury a 5-1 lead after four innings. The Panthers made it a 7-1 game in the fifth on a bases-loaded single by Emma Katz that scored a pair of runs.

Union closed the gap to 7-2 on a two-out single in the seventh when Allyson Staats punched a single to left with runners on first and third. Later with the bases loaded, Samantha Chevalier made the final out, grounding out to Hoffman at shortstop to end the threat.

Poracky went 3-3 with a double and three RBI for Middlebury, while Katz, Hoffman and Kimber Sable each had two hits. Alexa Lesenskyj (5-3) went the distance in the circle, tossing seven innings, allowing two earned runs.

Alyssa Wolejko was 3-4 for Union, as Nina Cervini went 2-4 with a double and RBI. Staats (2-2) took the loss, tossing the first four innings, allowing five earned, while Amanda Blake pitched two innings of relief, allowing two earned runs.

In game two, all the scoring happened in the first two innings as Union took a quick 2-0 lead in the first. With Erika Hillenbrand on first base, Cervini knocked a two-out double to left center, scoring Hillenbrand. Amanda Blake followed with an RBI single to right center, scoring Cervivi for the lead.

Middlebury scored their lone run in the bottom of the frame as Hoffman earned a two-out walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Poracky followed with a single scoring Hoffman to make it a 2-1 game. A pair of singles from Emily Kraytenberg and Alex Scibetta loaded the bases, but an infield pop-out to first by Sarah Boylan ended the threat.

The final run came quickly in the second when Chevalier opened the frame launching a home run over the left field fence for a 3-1 lead.

Middlebury collected four more singles during the rest of the game. The Panthers singled with two-outs in the second, fourth and fifth innings, but couldn't follow through with another timely hit to close the gap. Middlebury went down in order in the sixth and after Katz earned a two-out walk in the seventh, Bicks grounded out to first base to end the game.

Middlebury was paced by Jessa Hoffman's 2-2 game, with a double and a run scored. Kelsey Martel (2-3) took the loss pitching the first three innings, then re-entering in the seventh. Martel gave up three earned, striking out a pair, while Elizabeth Morris pitched three scoreless innings, also striking out two.

Union was led by Lauren Hoffman's 3-4 day, while Cervini was 2-4 with two doubles and Chevalier's homer capped the scoring. Sarah Logan (4-0) went seven innings for the win, allowing one earned run.

Game 1 Box - Game 2 Box