Box Score Ithaca, NY (5/2/14)- The Utica College softball team advanced to the second day of the Empire 8 Conference Tournament as it downed Stevens Institute of Technology 5-2 in the elimination game Friday afternoon.
The Pioneers will now take on Alfred University at 11 a.m. on Saturday in the semifinals of the E8 tournament at Ithaca's Kostrinsky Field.
Utica got on the board in the second inning as junior
Courtney Fitzgerald (Albany, NY/Colonie Central) scored from third on a throwing error. The Pioneers padded their lead in the third as a triple from
Alysa Russell (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) scored
Christy Traglia (Mohawk, NY/Mohawk). Then, just one batter later, Fitzgerald singled to right center to score Russell. A two-out double by
Kassidy Ogren (Albany, NY/Colonie Central) capped off the scoring as Fitzgerald plated her second run of the game.
Utica added another run in the fifth inning as Ogren singled up the middle.
Meghan Matan (Latham, NY/Shaker) scored from second after dodging the tag by the catcher at home and was able to touch the plate with her outstretched arm.
The Ducks made it interesting in the top of the seventh, scoring two runs, but the Pioneers held on for the win.
Erica Colucci (Glenville, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) struck out two and gave up just two runs, before
Abby Monroe (Watertown, NY/General Brown) struck out two in the seventh to help Utica to the win.
Matan and Ogren were each 2-for-3, while Matan had one run scored and Ogren had a game-high two RBIs. Traglia and Fitzgerald were both 2-for-4 on the day and
Chelsea Monroe (Watertown, NY/General Brown),
Cassie Smith (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem Central), and
Taylor Ellis (Willet, NY/Greene) had one hit a piece.
Kayla Berardi gave up 12 hits and struck out three in six innings of work for Stevens. The Ducks wrap up their season with a 27-11 record overall.
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