UTICA, NY- The Utica College softball team got back on track Wednesday as it downed cross-town rival, SUNY Poly in non-conference action.  Utica held on for a 4-3 victory in the first game, before cruising to a 9-1 run-rule victory in game two. 
 
Utica 4, SUNY Poly 3- Game One Final
After three scoreless innings, senior Cassie Smith (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem Central) was able to break the deadlock as she hit a two-RBI single to left field.  Just one batter later, the outfielder misplayed a long drive by Sabrina Stransky (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place), which resulted in Stransky ending up on second and Smith scoring. Stransky was then driven in a few batters later by classmate Maddison Williams.
 
The Wildcats responded in the top of the fifth as Elizabeth Riegler hit a two-run homer to center field to make it a two-run game.  SUNY Poly threatened in the seventh inning as it loaded the bases with just one out.  The Wildcats were able to plate one run, but the Utica defense held strong to get the final two outs.
 
Smith went 2-for-3 at the plate, including a double, while Alysa Russell (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville), Stephanie Siriano (Sauquoit, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill), Kassidy Ogren (Albany, NY/Colonie Central), and Williams each had one hit.  Freshman Shannon Cool (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer) struck out one and gave up just two earned runs to pick up her second win of the season.
 
Utica 9, SUNY Poly 1- Game Two Final
The bats came alive in the second game as Utica scored at least one run in each inning.  Once again, Smith got things going as she drove in a run with an RBI single to center.  The Wildcats responded in the top of the second as Reigler again drove in a run, this time on a double to center field.
 
Utica added two more scores in the second and third, before a solo home run by senior Abby Monroe (Watertown, NY/General Brown) sparked the Utica offense.  Monroe's blast, her first career home run, was followed shortly after by a solo shot from classmate Alysa Russell (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) to give the Pioneers a commanding 5-1 lead. Utica added four more runs in the bottom of the fifth to earn the walk off run-rule victory.
 
Freshman Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) led the way in game two as she went 3-for-4, with two RBI, while Russell was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a team-high three RBI.  Monroe and Stephanie Siriano (Sauquoit, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) were each 2-for-2 with two runs scored.   Ogren, Smith, Stransky, and Rachel Baker (Schuylerville, NY/Schuylerville) also had hits.
 
Monroe fanned seven batters as she improved to 2-4, while her counterpart, Hannah Wasco, had two strikeouts as she fell to 1-4.

The Pioneers (5-9) look to carry their momentum into Friday's rematch against Skidmore College.  Utica fell to the Thoroughbreds last Friday in Florida, 9-0.  Friday's double header is slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. in Saratoga Springs.