UTICA, NY- The Utica College softball team plated two runs in the bottom of the seventh but it was not enough as visiting University of Rochester held on for the 8-6 victory over the Pioneers in game two of a non-conference double-header Wednesday evening. Utica took the first game of the twin bill 8-4.
Senior
Alysa Russell (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) was 4-for-7 with three steals and two runs scored to pace the Pioneers. Russell now has 42 career stolen bases, surpassing Laura Meagher '06 for second on the College's all-time list. Russell needs just five more steals to tie 2015 graduate
Christy Traglia (Mohawk, NY/Mohawk) for first on the list. Russell is also two shy of the single-season steals record (18), held by All-American Meghan Matan '14.
Utica 8, U of R. 4- Game One Final
Facing a 4-0 deficit, the Pioneers exploded for five runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 5-4 lead. With runners on second and third, sophomore
Dominique Soto (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) hit a double to center field to score one. Then, senior
Stephanie Siriano (Sauquoit, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) hit a long triple to deep left center that hit off the wall to score Soto and
Sabrina Stransky (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place). Utica plated two more runs as a ball hit by
Cassie Smith (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem Central) gave the second baseman trouble and kept the inning alive.
Utica tacked on three more runs in the fifth to take a commanding 8-4 lead. Stransky led the way for Utica, going 2-for-4, while Russell,
Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South),
Kassidy Ogren (Albany, NY/Colonie Central), and
Abby Monroe (Watertown, NY/General Brown) each had one hit. Siriano also recorded two steals and two runs scored for UC.
Sophomore
Brittany Meka (Averill Park, NY/Averill Park) struck out four in four innings of work, while freshman
Shannon Cool (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer) fanned three to earn her third save of the season. Rochester's Eleni Wechsler had seven strikeouts in the loss.
Utica 6, U of R 8- Game Two Final
The Pioneers picked up right where they left off as Utica jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning. Siriano got things going as she walked with the bases loaded to bring in the first run. The next batter, Soto drove in two with her single to right field, and then a double-steal by Soto and Siriano plated the final run of the inning.
The Yellow Jackets responded to score the next eight runs of the game, including three in the top of the seventh to take an 8-4 lead. Utica made it interesting in the final half of the inning as Russell hit a lead off single to the short stop and then stole second when the Rochester pitcher was not paying attention. Freshman
Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) followed that up with an RBI single to score Russell.
A pair of singles by
Cassie Smith (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem Central) and
Sabrina Stransky (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) found the Pioneers with the bases loaded and only one out. Siriano was able to plate one run with a fielder's choice, but U of R was bale to get the final out and hold on for the victory.
Monroe and Cool combined for six strikeouts in the circle, while Rochester's Sam Malecki struck out one in the win.
Utica moves to 13-13 on the year. The Pioneers look to rebound this weekend as they host a pair of Empire 8 Conference double-headers. On Friday, UC will take on defending conference champion, Alfred University (3:30 p.m.) before facing Houghton College on Sunday (1 p.m.).
