Utica, NY (4/14/15)- The Utica College softball team dropped a pair of Empire 8 games as it fell to defending conference champion, Ithaca College, 2-0 and 13-2 Tuesday afternoon at Greenman Field. 
 
The Pioneers drop to 10-10 on the season and 2-4 in the Empire 8.  They look to bounce back Wednesday as they travel to nationally ranked No. 20 University of Rochester.  Game time is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
 
Utica 0, Ithaca 2- Game One Final
The Bombers scored two runs in the top of the first, which proved to be the deciding factor as Bomber pitcher Laura Quicker allowed just three hit for her fifth win of the season.  Senior Stephanie Siriano (Sauquoit, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill), junior Cassie Smith (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem Central), and sophomore Kassidy Ogren (Albany, NY/Colonie Central) each had one hit for the Pioneers. 
 
Utica threatened in the bottom of the fifth with the bases loaded, however Quicker was able to get out of the jam.  Junior Abby Monroe (Watertown, NY/General Brown) had one strikeout in five innings of work, while freshman Brittany Meka (Averill Park, NY/Averill Park) struck out three and allowed just one hit in two innings of relief.
 
Utica 2, Ithaca 13 (6 innings)- Game Two Final
The Bombers jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the first inning and never looked back as they improved to 6-2 in the conference.  Samantha Husak (Jackson, MI/Grass Lake) led the way for the Pioneers as she went 2-for-2, while Kassidy Ogren (Albany, NY/Colonie Central) hit her first home run of the season.  Alysa Russell (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville), Stephanie Siriano (Sauquoit, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill), Kassidy Ogren (Albany, NY/Colonie Central), Alaina Wickwire (Towanda, PA/Towanda), and Samantha Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) each had one hit, while Siriano added one steal.
 
Allison Macari had five strikeouts as she improved to 5-4 on the season, while the UC pitching staff combined for three strikeouts.