Kissimmee, FL- The Utica College softball team dropped both games on its fourth day of action at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, FL. UC fell to Lesley University 1-0, before dropping a 4-1 decision to Franklin and Marshall College.
Utica 0, Lesley 1- Game One FinalThe first game proved to be a pitcher's duel as there were a total of three hits through the first four innings of action. Franklin and Marshall broke the deadlock in the top of the fifth as the Lynx found themselves with runners on second and third with two outs. A defensive error on the part of the Pioneers allowed the eventual game-winning run to cross the plate.
The Pioneers were able to muster just one hit over the next three at-bats as they fell 1-0. Freshman
Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) and junior
Kassidy Ogren (Albany, NY/Colonie Central) each had one hit for Utica. Sophomore
Brittany Meka (Averill Park, NY/Averill Park) and freshman
Shannon Cool (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer) combined for four strikeouts, while Cool shouldered the loss.
Utica 1, Franklin & Marshall 4- Game Two FinalAs has become a theme so far this season, neither team was able to get on the scoreboard through the first few innings until freshman
Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) was driven in by
Cassie Smith (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem Central) to give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead in the top of the sixth.
The Diplomats responded to score four runs on five hits in the bottom of the inning to take a 4-1 lead. Utica made it interesting as it found itself with runners on the corners and the tying run at the plate with two outs in the top of the seventh, but the Pioneers were unable to plate another run.
Rice, Smith,
Alysa Russell (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville), and Maddison Williams each had hits for UC. Senior
Abby Monroe (Watertown, NY/General Brown) struck out one and allowed just three earned runs, while her counterpart, Katie Wenger had five strikeouts in the complete-game win.
Utica (3-5) will return to action Friday to take on Rowan University (9 a.m.) and Ramapo College (11:15 a.m.).