Utica, NY (3/27/12) – The Utica College softball team is set to open conference play this weekend as they host a double header against Elmira College Saturday at 1 p.m., before traveling to Saratoga Springs to take on Skidmore in a non-conference double header.

This past weekend Utica swept Southern Vermont in convincing fashion… Junior Meghan Matan (Latham, NY/Shaker) and freshman Courtney Fitzgerald (Albany, NY/Colonie Central) led the way for UC as they totaled eight hits, eight RBI and five runs scored on the afternoon.

Hot Streak: The Pioneers are currently on a nine game winning streak and they are 11-4 overall… During its nine game win streak, UC has outscored opponents 62-9.

Balanced Offense: So far Utica has seven girls hitting over .300 on the year… As a team UC is hitting .319 compared to their opponents who are only hitting .204… In fifteen games the Pioneers are averaging 4.8 runs, and 8.5 hits per game.

Machine at the Plate: Junior Meghan Matan (Latham, NY/Shaker) is off to a strong start at the plate for UC... She ranks first on the team in batting average (.481), slugging percentage (.564), on base percentage (.437), runs scored (11), hits (26), total bases (31), and stolen bases (eight)… In two games against Southern Vermont this past weekend Matan went 5-for-7 at the plate with three runs scored, and four RBI's.

Strong Pitching: On the mound UC has a total earned run average (ERA) of 1.70 in 15 games, compared to its opponents who have an ERA of 4.29… Senior Heather Kingsbury (Williamson, NY/Williamson) is leading the way with a 5-1 overall record, an ERA of 1.83, 11 total strikeouts, and two complete games in 34.1 innings pitched…  Freshman Briona Enny (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) is 3-1 on the year, has an ERA of 1.00, she has two complete games, two shutouts, and 16 strikeouts in 28.0 innings pitched.

Elmira Soaring Eagles: Elmira is currently 4-0 so far … In two games against The College at Old Westbury they Soaring Eagles scored a total of 14 runs… Elmira is led by junior Alex Andrade who leads the team in batting average (.663), on base percentage (.714), hits (seven), and is second on the team with five RBI's…Last season Utica split a double header winning the first game in 11 innings, 6-5, before losing the second game by one, 8-7.

Skidmore Thoroughbreds: Skidmore is currently 8-8 on the season after splitting two games with Castleton State College this past weekend… The Thoroughbreds are led by junior Julia Schwartz, who leads the team in average (.489), hits (23), doubles (6), triples (2), RBI's (17), slugging percentage (.702), and total bases (33)… Last season UC lost both games of a double header, losing the first game 9-8, before losing the second game 11-7 in eight innings.

Next Time Out: Utica returns to the diamond Wednesday, when they travel to Schenectady to take on Union College at 3 p.m.

                                                                                                      --- www.ucpioneers.com ---