ROCHESTER, NY- The Utica College softball team stretched its winning streak to 10 games and moved one step closer to clinching a spot in the Empire 8 Conference Tournament as it downed host Nazareth College 4-1 and 9-7 in E8 action Thursday afternoon.  Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) led the way as she was 6-for-8 including a home run on the day.
 
The Pioneers (16-14, 8-2 Empire 8) now need to win just one of their four remaining conference games to secure a spot in the E8 tournament.  Utica will return home on Saturday to take on Sage in its final home games of the regular season.  The first pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
Utica 4, Nazareth 1- Game One Final
After five scoreless innings, the Pioneers finally broke the deadlock in the top of the sixth as Sadie Evans (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) hit a clutch two-out single that drove in Madison Akots (Wynantskill, NY/Emma Willard School) and Sabrina Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich). 
 
The Golden Flyers got one back in the bottom half of the inning, but UC used back-to-back RBI singles by Jamie Miller (Boonville, NY/Adirondack) and Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) in the top of the seventh to all but seal the victory.  Naz was not able to get anything going in the bottom of the seventh as Gabby Caccamo (Suffern, NY/Suffern) and the Pioneer defense retired the side.
 
Rice led Utica going 3-for-4, while Sara Stransky (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) was 2-for-3.  Miller, Evans, Akots, and Madison Judge (Albany, NY/Colonie) each had one hit.  Caccamo had another strong showing in the circle as she allowed just four hits in a full seven innings of work.  She has now given up one earned run or fewer in her last five starts.
 
Utica 9, Nazareth 7- Game Two Final
Trailing 7-4 in the top of the seventh, Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) hit a leadoff home run over the center field fence to start the rally.  With runners on second and third, Sadie Evans (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) hit into a double play but was able to drive in a run to bring the Pioneers within one.  Just three batters later, Dominique Soto (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) singled to center to bring in the tying run, before Brigid Johndrow (Bristol, CT/St. Paul Catholic) doubled to right center to put UC up 9-7.
 
Nazareth was not able to get anything going in the bottom of the seventh as the Pioneers held on for their 10^th straight win and eighth straight conference victory.
 
Once again, Rice was 3-for-4 to lead the way, while Samantha Whitehouse (Greenwich, NY/Greenwich) was 2-for-3 with an RBI and one run scored.  Madison Akots (Wynantskill, NY/Emma Willard School) was 2-for-4 in game two while Jamie Miller (Boonville, NY/Adirondack) was 2-for-5. Johndrow, Soto, Madison Judge (Albany, NY/Colonie), Sara Stransky (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place), and Sabrina Stransky (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) each had one hit. 
 
Alyssa Samborin (Schenectady, NY/Mohonasen) had four strikeouts in 5.1 innings of work, while Gabby Caccamo (Suffern, NY/Suffern) allowed two hits in 1.2 innings of relief as she picked up the win.