KISSIMMEE, FL – The Utica College softball team moved its record to 3-1 through two days after a pair of gritty wins over Delaware Valley and Fredonia on Monday afternoon in Kissimmee, FL.  The Pioneers began the day by plating six runs in the final two innings to secure an 8-2 win over Del Val.  UC then rallied in the bottom of the seventh behind a walk-off single from the bat of senior Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) – scoring two runs – to help lift the Pioneers past Fredonia 5-4.  Utica has now earned two of its three wins via clutch hitting in the seventh inning over the course two days in Florida.

Rice finished the day going 4-for-7 at the plate with three RBIs, while the reigning Empire 8 Player of the Week Sadie Evans (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) went 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Freshman Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) went 2-for-6 on the day with four RBIs and classmate Kaitlyn Paul (Albany, NY/Guilderland) went 3-for-7 with one RBI and one run scored. Over the course of their first four games, the Pioneers have plated 11 of their 25 runs in either the sixth or seventh inning, proving they have what it takes to put the bat on the ball in crucial moments.

Utica 8, Delaware Valley 2 – Game One Final

Following three scoreless innings to start the contest, the Pioneers shook off the morning rust and put two runs up on the board in the top of the fourth inning. Second baseman Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) lit the fire for UC as she roped a two RBI double to center field to give the Pioneers the early lead.

Del Val answered with one run in the bottom of the fifth, but the Pioneers were able to plate two more runs in the sixth inning to push their lead back to 4-1.  Sadie Evans (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) singled and scored Sara Stransky (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) to kick off the two-run sixth, while Joss added her third RBI of the day with a sacrifice fly to score Brigid Johndrow (Bristol, CT/St. Paul Catholic) to put the Pioneers on top by three runs. 

Del Val made a push in the bottom half of the sixth by plating one run, but the comeback bid proved to be too late.  The Pioneers sealed the six run victory by pushing four runs across in the top of the seventh to earn the game one victory. Rice singled and scored Jamie Miller (Boonville, NY/Adirondack) to start the seventh inning scoring.  Paul double to left center and scored Emma Rousseau (Litchfield, NH/Campbell), before Evans capped the scoring with a two-RBI single through the left side that scored Paul and Madison Judge (Albany, NY/Colonie). 

UC's Alyssa Samborin (Schenectady, NY/Mohonasen) picked up the game one victory as she allowed just four hits and two earned runs, striking out seven, in 5.1 innings of work.  Jane Field (Waterford, NY/Catholic Central) came on in relief and shut the door in the circle for the Pioneers and she allowed just one hit in 1.2 innings down the stretch.

Utica 5, Fredonia 4 – Game Two Final

UC got on the board first in the second game of the day against Fredonia as Hayley Fredericks (Suffern, NY/Suffern) singled to right center and scored Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) in the bottom half of the first inning to give UC a 1-0 lead.  Fredonia responded with a three run third inning to take a 3-1 lead, but the Pioneers would not go down easy as they plated two runs in the bottom of the third to knot the score at 3-3.  Brigid Johndrow (Bristol, CT/St. Paul Catholic) tripled to left center and scored Madison Judge (Albany, NY/Colonie) to kick off the third inning scoring for Utica.  Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) then came through once again as she singled to center and scored Johndrow to tie the game at 3-3. 

Fredonia took the lead back in the top of the seventh, but the resilient Pioneers had an answer once again in the bottom of the seventh to earn the win.

The bottom of the seventh began with Sara Stransky (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) being hit by a pitch to reach first base before being pinch ran for by two-sport star Mikayla Blumenstock (Poland, NY/Poland). With one out, Jacqueline Aronin (Naugatuck, CT/Naugatuck High School) came through with a clutch double down the left field line to push Blumenstock to third base.  Jamie Miller (Boonville, NY/Adirondack) was then intentionally walked to load the bases before Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) came up with the walk off single to center field, which scored Blumenstock and Aronin, to help the Pioneers earn the victory.

Gabriella Caccamo (Suffern, NY/Suffern), who was named the E8 Pitcher of the Week today, was dominant on the mound once again as she picked up her second win of the season after allowing just one earned run and striking out three in the complete game for Utica.