KISSIMMEE, FL- The Utica College softball team split on its third day at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, FL on Tuesday.  The Pioneers topped Dickinson College 4-1 in the first game, before falling to Springfield College 4-3 in extra innings in game two.
 
Utica 4, Dickinson 1- Game One Final
Utica got things going in the third inning as senior Stephanie Siriano (Sauquoit, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) doubled to drive in classmate Alysa Russell (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville).  Then just one batter later, senior Cassie Smith (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem Central) hit a two-RBI single that scored Siriano and freshman Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South).  Junior Kassidy Ogren (Albany, NY/Colonie Central) followed that up with an RBI single of her own to put the Pioneers up 4-0.
 
The Red Devils threatened in the top of the seventh as they had the bases loaded with one out.  Dickinson was able to plate one run, but the Utica defense held strong the rest of the way to get the victory.
 
Rice and Ogren each finished 2-for-3, while Siriano was 2-for-4.  Sophomore Dominique Soto (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) led the team with two steals, while Russell and Rice each had one steal.  Freshman Shannon Cool (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer) had one strikeout and allowed just three hits in her first collegiate victory.
 
Utica 3, Springfield 4 (8 Inn.)- Game Two Final
The Pioneers rallied to score three runs in the top of the seventh to send the game into extra innings.  However, with two outs and a full count in the bottom of the eighth inning, Springfield College was able to pull out the walk-off victory.
 
Springfield scored one run in the first, third, and fifth innings to take a 3-0 lead, however Utica mounted a comeback in the seventh behind three runs on two hits.  Down to their final out, and with runners on second and third, sophomore transfer Rachel Baker (Schuylerville, NY/Schuylerville) hit a clutch single to right field, to score Dominique Soto (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place).  Then Alyssa Russell drove in the tying runs with her RBI double. 
 
The Pride held on in the top of the eighth; before junior Alicia Pavadore's pinch-hit heroics sent Springfield home with its fifth win of the season.
 
Russell and Sabrina Stransky (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) each had two hits, while Baker and Stephanie Siriano (Sauquoit, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) were each 1-for-3 at the dish.  Senior Abby Monroe (Watertown, NY/General Brown) struck out a career-high 10 batters for the second straight game and allowed just two earned runs in the loss.  Monroe also became the College's career strikeout leader, surpassing Pioneer Hall of Famer, Bobbi (McMail) Simon.  Monroe, who is also the program's career win leader (41), now has 283 strikeouts in 79 appearances. 
 
 The Pioneers (3-3) will have a full day off before returning to the diamond on Thursday against Lesley University (9 a.m.) and Franklin and Marshall College (1:30 p.m.).