Clermont, FL (3/17/15)- Head Coach
Pat Mineo picked up his 200
th career win as the Pioneers earned two thrilling victories at the DOT Richardson Spring Games in Clermont, FL. Utica downed Plymouth State 5-2 in the first game, before earning a come-from-behind walk off win, 8-7 over Keene State in the second game.
Mineo is now 201-174 in his tenth season at the helm for the Pioneers. Utica (3-3) will have an off day on Wednesday before returning to the field Thursday as it faces the College of New Jersey (9 a.m.) and North Central College (1 p.m.).
Utica 5, Plymouth State 2- Game One Final Utica jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning as senior
Courtney Fitzgerald (Albany, NY/Colonie Central) hit a sacrifice fly that drove in
Stephanie Siriano (Sauquoit, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) and
Alysa Russell (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville). The Panthers responded by plating two runs in the bottom of the inning to knot the score.
UC got the go-ahead run in the top of the fourth as an error with the bases loaded brought home
Taylor Ellis (Willet, NY/Greene). The Pioneers added some insurance in the top of the seventh as
Alaina Wickwire (Towanda, PA/Towanda) hit a two-RBI single to score Siriano and
Madison Williams (Prospect, NY/Holland Patent). That was all the Utica defense needed as it shut down the Panthers in the final inning.
The UC pitching staff gave up just five hits, while striking out five in the victory. Russell led Utica going 2-for-4 at the plate, while Siriano was 1-for-2 with a triple, two runs scored and two stolen bases.
Cassie Smith (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem Central) also had a hit in the game.
Utica 8, Keene State 7- Game Two FinalWith two outs, freshman
Samantha Husak (Jackson, MI/Grass Lake) hit a three-run triple to score the game-winning run in walk off fashion. The Pioneers battled back from a six-run deficit in the final two and a half innings to secure the victory.
Husak and
Christy Traglia (Mohawk, NY/Mohawk) were each 3-for-4 while
Cassie Smith (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem Central),
Stephanie Siriano (Sauquoit, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill), and
Alaina Wickwire (Towanda, PA/Towanda) each had two hits.
Alysa Russell (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) extended her hit streak to six games and
Madison Williams (Prospect, NY/Holland Patent) had one hit.