UTICA, NY- The Utica College softball team stretched its winning streak to six games as it swept visiting Alfred University 6-2 and 6-4 in Empire 8 Conference action Saturday. Sophomore
Madison Akots (Wynantskill, NY/Emma Willard School) was 5-for-7 on the day to lead the way for the Pioneers.
Utica 6, Alfred 2- Game One Final
The Pioneers plated one run in both the first and second innings and added four more scores over their final two at bats to come away with the 6-2 win.
The Pioneers played a sound defensive game, which was highlighted by a diving catch by
Samantha Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) at third base. From her knees, Whitehouse fired a ball over to first base that just beat the runner to preserve Utica's 2-0 lead. The Saxons meanwhile committed three errors, which led to three of Utica's runs.
Madison Akots (Wynantskill, NY/Emma Willard School) was 3-for-4 in game one with two RBIs while
Brigid Johndrow (Bristol, CT/St. Paul Catholic) was 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored.
Madison Judge (Albany, NY/Colonie) had one hit and drove in two and Whitehouse,
Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South), and
Sadie Evans (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) each had one hit. Rice, Evans, and
Jamie Miller (Boonville, NY/Adirondack) each had one steal in the game as well.
Freshman
Gabby Caccamo (Suffern, NY/Suffern) allowed just three hits and one earned run and she also struck out two batters to pick up her sixth win of the year.
Utica 6, Alfred 4- Game Two Final
This time, the Saxons jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, but it was short-lived as the Pioneers responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 3-2 lead.
Utica added some insurance in the third inning when senior
Dominique Soto (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) hit a two-run shot off the top of the left field fence for her second homer of the year. UC added another tally in the fourth as
Jamie Miller (Boonville, NY/Adirondack) drove in
Sadie Evans (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) to give the Pioneers a 6-2 lead.
Alfred threatened in the top of the seventh with a two-run home run, but
Alyssa Samborin (Schenectady, NY/Mohonasen) and the Utica defense held strong to pick up the win.
All nine players had at least one hit in the game two win, led by
Madison Akots (Wynantskill, NY/Emma Willard School) and
Madison Judge (Albany, NY/Colonie), who were each 2-for-3. Miller, Evans, Soto,
Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South),
Jacqueline Aronin (Naugatuck, CT/Naugatuck High School),
Samantha Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich), and
Brigid Johndrow (Bristol, CT/St. Paul Catholic) also recorded hits in the win.
The Pioneers will kick off a busy week next week with a doubleheader against Houghton College on Monday. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Greenman Field.
