Clermont, FL (3/15/15)- The Utica College softball team split on the opening day of the DOT Richardson Spring Games in Clermont Florida to kick off its 2015 campaign.  The Pioneers defeated Babson College 2-1 in the first game, before falling to Bethel University 9-4 in game two. 
 
Head Coach Pat Mineo is now just one win away from 200 for his career as he currently sits at 199-172 in just over nine full seasons as the bench boss for the Pioneers.  Mineo will look to reach the milestone on Monday as Utica faces University of Wisconsin- River Falls (5 p.m.) and William Patterson University (7 p.m.). 
 
Utica 2, Babson 1- Game One Final
The first game was a pitcher's duel as neither team was able to plate a run until the sixth inning.  The Beavers got on the board first in the top of the sixth inning as they converted on two Utica errors. 

The Pioneers rebounded, however, in the bottom of the inning as newcomers Stephanie Siriano (Sauquoit, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) and Sabrina Stransky (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) each drove in a run.  First, Siriano reached on a fielder's choice as Dominique Soto (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) scored.  Then, a sac fly by Stransky brought in Alyssa Russell to give Utica the 2-1 lead. 

That was all the Pioneers needed as the defense shut down Babson to pick up the season-opening win.  Junior Abby Monroe (Watertown, NY/General Brown) had an impressive start to the season as she allowed just two hits and struck out seven in a full seven innings of work. 
 
Utica 4, Bethel (MN) 9- Game Two Final
Errors were costly in the second game as Utica fell to the Bethel University Royals 9-4.  Utica got off to a good start, scoring in the first inning as senior Christy Traglia (Mohawk, NY/Mohawk) scored on a throwing error.

Bethel bounced back in the third inning as senior Kelsey Anderson doubled to left center, scoring two.  It was short-lived, however, as a two-run double by junior Alysa Russell (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) put Utica back on top in the fourth. 

Bethel outscored UC 7-1 in the final three innings to take the victory.  Stephanie Siriano (Sauquoit, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) went 2-for-3 in game two, while Cassie Smith (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem Central), Sabrina Stransky (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place), and Samantha Husak (Jackson, MI/Grass Lake) also had hits.  Lindsay Edeen struck out five in seven innings, while Alaina Wickwire (Towanda, PA/Towanda) and Brittany Meka (Averill Park, NY/Averill Park) combined for two strikeouts, with Meka shouldering the loss.

Russell finished the day going 4-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI in the two games. 


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