The Hamilton College Continentals opened up their season with a doubleheader against NESCAC West Division foe Williams College Ephs on Saturday in Williamstown, Mass.

Madison Rainone '24 recorded five hits and three runs batted in, Anna Rasmussen '21 had four hits and four RBI including two home runs, and Kiana Arcayena '22 recorded three hits and five RBI. 

Williams (2-0, 2-0 NESCAC West) won the first game 9-8 and took the second 10-9 in eight innings. Hamilton outhit the Ephs 12-9 in game one and recorded eight hits in game two compared to Williams' 12.

Hamilton returns home Sunday, April 3 to finish its series against Williams with a single game starting at  2 p.m.

Game One: Williams 9, Hamilton 8

The Continentals had a 3-1 advantage going into the bottom of the second inning.

Samantha Smith '23 hit a home run to center field and brought home Rainone in the top of the first. Arcayena hit the Continentals' second home run in the top of the second.

The Ephs took a 4-3 lead after the bottom of the third but Hamilton tied the score in the top of the fourth after Arcayena singled to right field to score Smith.

Williams homered in the bottom of the fourth for a 5-4 edge and Rainone tied it again in the top of the fifth by drawing a bases-loaded walk.

The Ephs took a 9-5 advantage after a two-run homer and an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth, and another home run in the bottom of the sixth.

Rainone scored on an error and Rasmussen scored on a double by Madison Hinojos '24 in the top of the seventh but the rally ended with the tying run at second base.

Rainone went 3-for-4, Rasmussen was 2-for-4, Arcayena went 2-for-3 with four RBI and Smith was 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Starting pitcher Claire O'Brien '21 struck out seven and allowed eight runs on eight hits and four walks in 4.2 innings. Natalie Beebe '24 pitched 1.1 innings, struck out two and allowed one run on a hit and a walk.

Game Two: Williams 10, Hamilton 9 (8 innings)

The Ephs took a 3-0 lead after the first inning after an RBI double and a two-run homer.

Rasmussen's home run to left field put the Continentals on the board in the top of the second. Katlynn McGivney '23 scored on a throwing error after stealing third base in the top of the third and cut Williams' lead to one run.

Williams recorded four runs in the bottom of the fourth for a 7-2 advantage. Hamilton was able to make it 7-5 in the top of the fifth when Rainone hit a three-run homer that scored Shelby McVey '22 and McGivney. The Ephs scored two more runs in the bottom of the sixth with a two-run homer for a 9-5 lead.

The Continentals rallied in the top of the seventh and tied the score. Rainone scored on a single by Arcayena and Rasmussen hit another home run that also brought in Katie Neilsen '22 and Arcayena.

Hamilton's defense held off the Ephs in the bottom of the seventh and the game headed into extra innings. Williams scored on a groundout with the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth for the win.

Rasmussen went 2-for-4 with four RBI and Rainone was 2-for-4 with three RBI.

Starter Kaitlyn Fudge '23 pitched 3.1 innings and allowed two earned runs on six hits and two walks. Beebe struck out three in 1.2 innings and allowed four runs on five hits and two walks. O'Brien pitched 2.2 innings and gave up an unearned run on one hit. She struck out two and walked one.