Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
Rochester, NY (4/17/13)- The Utica College softball team split with host University of Rochester in non-conference action Wednesday, losing game one 4-3 before rebounding to take the second game 4-1.  Both games required extra innings.

Utica 3, University of Rochester 4 (9 innings)- Game One Final

The Pioneers mustered just one hit through the first five innings until reigning Empire 8 and ECAC Player of the Week, Chelsea Monroe (Watertown, NY/General Brown) doubled to lead off the sixth inning.  Monroe was brought home three batters later as sophomore Courtney Fitzgerald (Albany, NY/Colonie Central) doubled down the left field line.  Then, Alysa Russell (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) singled to left to score Fitzgerald and Bridgette Plummer (Saratoga Springs, NY/Schuylerville) to take a 3-1 lead

The Yellow Jackets evened the game in the bottom of the inning as Nina Korn hit a two-run shot to left.  The score remained the same through the bottom of the seventh, sending the game to extra innings. 

In the top of the eighth, UC had a chance to go ahead with the bases loaded and two outs, but were unable to get a run across the plate.  Rochester went on to get the winning run in the bottom of the ninth to earn the 4-3 victory. 

Freshmen Cassie Smith (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem Central) and Alysa Russell (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) each went 2-for-4, while Monroe, Fitzgerald, Meghan Matan (Latham, NY/Shaker), Mallory Ingalls (Oriskany, NY/Oriskany), Dominique Carcone (Frankfort, NY/New Hartford), and Christy Traglia (Mohawk, NY/Mohawk) had one hit apiece.  Freshman Erica Colucci (Glenville, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) struck out five in six innings of work, while sophomore Cassidy Thompson (Bend, OR/West Valley) shouldered the loss.

Utica 4, U of R 1- (8 innings)- Game Two Final

Once again, the game required extra innings as each team could only plate one run through seven frames.  Utica was able to score three runs in the top of the eighth to pick up the Pioneers' first win against the Yellow Jackets since 2006.

Dominique Carcone (Frankfort, NY/New Hartford) and Chelsea Monroe (Watertown, NY/General Brown) were both 2-for-3 in the second game, with Carcone scoring twice.  Fitzgerald and Cassie Smith (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem Central) also added one hit each.

Freshman Abby Monroe (Watertown, NY/General Brown) was dominant in the circle for Utica, allowing just one ball out of the infield in the first six innings.  She finished with three strikeouts and allowed just five hits to improve to 10-4 on the year.

UC returns to action this weekend as it faces a crucial Empire 8 weekend set.  The Pioneers host league-leader Ithaca College on Saturday before taking on Stevens on Sunday.  Both games are scheduled for 1 p.m.  UC is in the mix to make it back to the E8 Conference Tournament for the first time since 2007.


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