UTICA, NY (April 26, 2009) – The Utica College softball team split a double header against visiting Skidmore College at Greenman Field Sunday afternoon. Sophomore center fielder Kim Martin ripped a one out double with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh to cap a three run, come from behind victory, as the Pioneers won game one 4-3. The Pioneers surrendered three runs in the top of the third inning in game two and that is all the Thoroughbreds would need as freshman pitcher Sam Crose allowed five hits en route to a 3-0 shutout victory for Skidmore.

After Sunday's split the Pioneers are now 14-20 overall and they have two double headers left on their schedule before the end of the season. UC's post season chances were crushed Saturday when they split with RIT and missed out on the top four seeds to the Empire 8 Conference Tournament.

Skidmore is now 19-12 overall and they have two Liberty League Conference double headers left on their regular season schedule slated for the first week of May.

In game one Skidmore jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top half of the second inning when freshman Lauren Bernstein hit an RBI single, scoring sophomore Derrin Jarvis. The Pioneers answered in the bottom of the third inning and knotted the contest up at 1-1 after Angel Donaghue ripped a triple to right center field and Kim Martin followed with an RBI single to tie the score.

Skidmore combined for two runs in the next four innings and seemed to be in complete control headed into the bottom of the seventh. That's when UC used three singles, one walk and Martin's game-winning two RBI double to total three runs and earn the game one victory.

Kristin Levin struck out six batters en route to the complete game win on the mound for UC. Sam Crose struck out six and allowed seven hits in the loss.

Game two was relatively uneventful with the exception of a three run third for the Thoroughbreds, which they hung on to for the shutout victory. Senior Jamie Rubin ripped a three RBI double with the bases loaded in the third to account for all the scoring in the night cap.

Senior Rinae Olsen and Kourtney Kupiec each tallied two hits for the Pioneers in game two. Freshman Haley Butler struck out five batters and allowed five hits in the loss on the mound for UC.

The Pioneers return to action Wednesday when they host Union College for a two game set at Greenman Field. The first pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.

--- www.ucpioneers.com ---