UTICA, NY- The Utica College softball team lost the first game of its doubleheader 3-1 to the University of Rochester and then dropped a heartbreaking 3-2 decision in game two to the Yellow Jackets Wednesday evening. Junior Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) was 4-for-8 on the day with one run scored and one RBI.
 
Utica 1, U of R 3- Game One Final
After two scoreless innings, the Yellow Jackets got on the board in the third as Lydia Petricca doubled to right field to score two.  Rochester added another run in the fourth inning to take a 3-0 lead. 
 
With a runner on second and one out, Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) hit a timely single to left field in the seventh that scored Jamie Miller (Boonville, NY/Adirondack) and bring the Pioneers within two.  Utica was not able to get Rice across the plate as the next two batters flied out.
 
Rice led the way going 2-for-4, while Miller, Sabrina Stransky (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place), Dominique Soto (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place), Madison Judge (Albany, NY/Colonie), Jacqueline Aornin, Madison Akots (Wynantskill, NY/Emma Willard School), and Sadie Evans (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) each had one hit. 
 
Freshman Gabby Caccamo (Suffern, NY/Suffern) struck out five and allowed just one earned run in the loss.
 
Utica 2, U of R 3- Game Two Final
Trailing 1-0 through four innings, the Pioneers got on the board in the bottom of the fifth when freshman Brigid Johndrow (Bristol, CT/St. Paul Catholic) hit one off the left field fence that scored Sara Stransky (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) to bring the game to 1-1. 
 
The Yellow Jackets regained the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth to once again put the pressure on the Pioneers.  Utica came within one in the bottom half of the inning as Jacqueline Aronin (Naugatuck, CT/Naugatuck High School) hit a sacrifice fly that scored Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South). 
 
Then, with runners on the corners, Sara Stransky (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) hit a line drive to right center. Rochester right fielder Jocelynn Blackshear made a diving catch to rob Stransky of a hit and save at least one run. 
 
The Pioneers threatened in the bottom of the seventh but were unable to plate the tying run as Rochester held on for the victory.
 
Rice and Akots each had two hits in game two, while Jamie Miller (Boonville, NY/Adirondack), Sabrina Stransky (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place), Sara Stransky (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place), and Brigid Johndrow (Bristol, CT/St. Paul Catholic) each had one hit.
 
Alyssa Samborin (Schenectady, NY/Mohonasen) allowed just six hits in nearly six innings of work, while Sabrina Stransky (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) fanned two and did not allow a base runner in 1.1 innings in relief.
 
The Pioneers (6-14, 0-2 Empire 8) look to bounce back Thursday as they host local rival SUNY Poly for a two-game set.  The first pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.