UTICA, NY- The Utica College softball team split with local rival, Hamilton College in non-conference action Tuesday evening, taking the first game 9-1 before falling 10-2 in the night cap. Sophomore
Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) was 5-for-5 on the day to lead UC.
Utica 9, Hamilton 1 (6 Innings)- Game One Final
The Pioneers broke the game open in the fourth inning and never looked back as they cruised to the run-rule victory in game one.
With the score tied 1-1, Utica found itself with the bases loaded with no outs. Freshman
Josie Sgarlata (Canastota, NY/Canastota) layed down a perfect bunt down the third base line that scored
Jamie Miller (Boonville, NY/Adirondack). The next batter,
Hayley Fredericks (Suffern, NY/Suffern) singled to left field to drive in two.
Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) capped off the scoring for the inning as she hit a two-out double to left field to score Fredericks.
The Pioneers tacked on four more runs over the next two innings, including a solo home run by
Dominique Soto (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) to earn the victory.
Rice was 3-for-3 in game one with three RBIs and one run scored, while Fredericks was 2-for-3. Sgarlata, Soto,
Samantha Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich),
Kassidy Ogren (Albany, NY/Colonie Central), and
Sabrina Stransky (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) each had one hit. Rice, Miller,
Natalie Lawrence (Floral Park, NY/Floral Park), and
Jacqueline Aronin (Naugatuck, CT/Naugatuck High School) each had one steal in game one.
Brittany Meka (Averill Park, NY/Averill Park) struck out three in six innings of work to pick up her team-leading sixth win of the season.
Utica 2, Hamilton 10 (5 Innings)- Game Two Final
Hamilton responded in the second game to score nine runs in the first two innings and the Continentals tacked on another tally in the fourth to salvage the split.
Rice was once again Utica's best batter as she went 2-for-2 at the plate. The everyday second baseman now holds a .541 batting average and .589 on base percentage, both of which lead the Empire 8 Conference.
Kassidy Ogren (Albany, NY/Colonie Central) was 1-for-3 with an RBI, while
Sabrina Stransky (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) also drove in a run.
Jacqueline Aronin (Naugatuck, CT/Naugatuck High School),
Samantha Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich), and
Kimberly Beattie (Levitton, NY/Division Ave) each had one hit.
The Pioneers look to rebound Wednesday as they travel to the University of Rochester. Game time is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
