Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Utica, NY (4/24/13)- For the third year in a row, the Utica College softball team has managed to split with RPI.  The Pioneers dropped the first game 7-0, before coming from behind to earn a 10-8 victory over the Engineers.

RPI 7, Utica 0- Game One Final

RPI jumped out to an early lead as Jocilyn Rudisill hit a solo shot over the center field wall for her first home run of the season. The Engineers added another run in the fourth and five over the final two innings to seal the victory.  Kristina Weltzin had an impressive day in the circle, allowing just two hits through the first six innings.

Utica was led by sophomore Courtney Fitzgerald (Albany, NY/Colonie Central), who went 2-for-3, while Mallory Ingalls (Oriskany, NY/Oriskany), Alysa Russell (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville), and Dominique Carcone (Frankfort, NY/New Hartford) each had one hit.  Abby Monroe (Watertown, NY/General Brown) gave up eight hits in her fifth loss of the season.

Utica 10, RPI 8- Game Two Final

Once again, the Pioneers found themselves in a hole, facing a 4-0 deficit after three innings. In the fourth, Utica's bats came alive as the Pioneers exploded for seven runs.

Senior Dominique Carcone (Frankfort, NY/New Hartford) got things started as she hit an RBI double to right center to score classmate Mallory Ingalls (Oriskany, NY/Oriskany). Then, just one batter later, freshman Taylor Ellis (Willet, NY/Greene) hit a single to center field, scoring Alysa Russell (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) and advancing Carcone to third.  Christy Traglia (Mohawk, NY/Mohawk) was able to bring home Carcone, and ended up scoring off a sacrifice fly from junior Chelsea Monroe (Watertown, NY/General Brown).  Ingalls capped off the scoring in the inning with a two-RBI single to centr, scoring Bridgette Plummer (Saratoga Springs, NY/Schuylerville) and Meghan Matan (Latham, NY/Shaker).

RPI responded in the fifth as Jocilyn Rudisill hit her second solo home run of the day.  Down 7-5 in the top of the seventh, RPI was able to capitalize on two Utica errors to take an 8-7 lead.

In the bottom of the seventh, UC was able to get the tying run across as Plummer drove in Traglia.  Then, with the bases loaded, and a steady stream of rain coming down, Russell hit a ball that hopped over the right field fence for a ground rule double, advancing the winning run over the plate. 

Sophomore Briona Enny (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) struck out three in six innings of work, before Abby Monroe (Watertown, NY/General Brown) came in for the final three outs.  Alysa Russell (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) was a perfect 3-for-3, while Dominique Carcone (Frankfort, NY/New Hartford) was 3-for-4.  Meghan Matan (Latham, NY/Shaker), Courtney Fitzgerald (Albany, NY/Colonie Central), Mallory Ingalls (Oriskany, NY/Oriskany), and Christy Traglia (Mohawk, NY/Mohawk) were each 2-for-4, while Taylor Ellis (Willet, NY/Greene) and Bridgette Plummer (Saratoga Springs, NY/Schuylerville) also had hits.  Taylor Ten Eyck led the way for RPI going 2-for-3. 

Utica moves to 24-10 on the season, while the Engineers sit at 23-10.  UC returns to action Sunday as it welcomes Oswego.  Game time is set for 1 p.m.