The Utica College softball team lost both games Friday to conclude its Spring trip and will head into the regular season with a record of 3-7. UC lost its first game 14-2 against Kean University (7-2) and 9-2 in the second game against Montclair State Engineers (5-5) in the Rebel Spring Games at Osceola City Stadium.

In game one, Utica jumped out to a two run lead in the second inning. Right fielder Claire Gerlach (Williamsville, NY) started off the inning with a one out double to right center field. Gerlach would advance to third on a wild pitch and eventually score, unearned. Gerlach scored as designated player Brittany Newton (Whitesboro, NY) forced the defense to make a play on her ground ball to the catcher and reached on an error. Newton then advanced to third on senior second baseman Angel Donaghue's (Cortlandt Manor, NY) single down the right field line. Donaghue would steal second and leave first open for a Kim Martin walk to load the bases. Shortstop Jackie Gallagher (Cortlandt Manor, NY) advanced the runners on an error to second base and gave the Pioneers their second and only run of the game. Kean would answer in the top of the third inning with four runs and continue their offense through the next two innings, scoring a combined 10 runs in the fourth and fifth innings.

Pitcher Stephanie Romanow (New Hartford, NY) allowed nine runs, eight earned, on 10 hits to go along with no walks and three strikeouts in 3.0 innings pitched.

In the second game, Montclair State scored in the first to make it 1-0. Utica would come back in the top of the third inning to tie the score at 1-1, after an RBI single to left field by first basemen Bridgette Plummer (Saratoga Springs, NY). However, the Engineers would answer right back in the bottom half of the inning with five runs. Starting pitcher Madison Dinsmore (Theresa, NY) would leave the game in third after allowing six runs, five earned, on eight hits. Dinsmore also had two strikeouts and only one walk after being relieved by Haley Butler (New Hartford, NY). Butler would finish the game for UC allowing only one earned run on three hits in 3.1 innings pitched, however, she gave up three walks as well. The Pioneers would score another lonely run by Donaghue in the top of the fifth after a Plummer single up the middle. Shortstop Jackie Gallagher and Bridgette Plummer both went 3-for-4 on the day. Plummer had both runs batted in for UC.

UC walked a total of five batters and had four errors in two games while the offense left a combined 16 runners on base.

The Pioneers are back in action Wednesday March 24 against the Cazenovia Wildcats. The double header is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. at Cazenovia Softball Field.



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