Kissimmee, FL- The Utica College softball team dropped both games in its opening day of the 2016 campaign, at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimme, FL. The Pioneers dropped a close 1-0 decision to SUNY Cortland in the first game, before falling to Washington College, 4-0 in game two.
Utica 0, SUNY Cortland 1- Game One FinalThe teams combined for just six hits through the first three and a half innings, before the Red Dragons were able to get on the board. Junior Kaleigh Churchill got things going with a leadoff triple on the bottom of the fourth inning, while senior Carrie Stoddard followed that up with a single to left field, which scored Churchill. That was all Cortland needed as the Red Dragons did not allow a hit in the next three innings.
Seniors
Alysa Russell (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville),
Stephanie Siriano (Sauquoit, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill), and
Cassie Smith (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem Central) as well as sophomore
Dominique Soto (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) each had one hit for UC. Sophomore
Brittany Meka (Averill Park, NY/Averill Park) and senior
Abby Monroe (Watertown, NY/General Brown) each gave up two hits and combined for five strikeouts, while Alexandrea Flint fanned one in the win.
Utica 0, Washington College (Md.) 4- Game Two FinalOnce again, the game remained scoreless through the first two innings before Washington broke out for three runs in the third. The Shorewomen added another score in the fourth inning, and that was all they needed as the Pioneers mustered just two hits on the day.
Smith recorded a hit in her second straight game, while sophomore
Samantha Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) also had one hit. Seniors
Alysa Russell (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) and
Stephanie Siriano (Sauquoit, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) each had one stolen base in the loss.
Freshman
Shannon Cool (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer) allowed three runs and struck out one in 2.2 innings of work, while Meka added two strikeouts in just over four innings. Their counterparts Maddie Bennett and Milly Kawabata totaled seven strikeouts in the win. Sunday's game marked the second time in program history that the two teams played each other as the Pioneers lost to the Shorewomen 11-6 in the first game of the NCAA Tournament in 2013.
Utica looks to rebound Monday as it faces Dubuque (1:30 p.m.) and Farmingdale State (3:45 p.m.)
