UTICA, NY – The Utica College softball team will host Oswego State for a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday. The first pitch of game one is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
 
Last Time Out: The Pioneers are 6-10 to start the season and they are coming off a split against Alfred University on Saturday. Utica lost 0-8 in the first game, as senior Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) had six put outs and one walk. UC won game two 8-3 to earn the split for the day.  The Alfred Saxons had the early 2-0 lead, but the Pioneers managed to come back with a six-run rally in the sixth inning. Freshman Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored.  Freshman pitcher Jane Field (Waterford, NY/Catholic Central) faced 29 batters throughout the game, allowing three runs scored and striking out three batters.
 
Front of the Pack: Senior Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) leads the Pioneers in RBIs (11), hits (18), batting average (.367) and slugging percentage (.469). Right behind Rice are juniors Sadie Evans (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) and Jacqueline Aronin (Naugatuck, CT/Naugatuck High School). Evans is currently second behind Rice with a .313 average. She is leading the team in runs scored (eight) and ranks third on the team with 10 hits. Aronin is just behind Evans with an average of .310. Aronin is second on the squad with 13 hits and three doubles.
 
Rice for the Records: Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) is moving up the Utica College record book.  Rice is fourth all-time with 173 hits and fifth all-time with 32 doubles, just one behind former All-American, Meghan Matan.  Rice is also seventh all-time in career RBIs (80) and she needs just two more to move into sixth place.  On the season, Rice is currently tied for third in the Empire 8 with five doubles.  She is also fourth in RBIs (11) and 10^th in hits (18).
 
Scouting Oswego: The Oswego State Lakers are currently 3-9 on the year. They managed a split against Clarkson on March 26. Oswego won 4-2 in the first game, and lost 1-2 in the second game. The Lakers are led by senior Emily Knowlden, who is batting .500.  Knowlden has been held without a hit just once so far this season. 
 
Against Oswego: The Pioneers are 8-3 against Oswego in the last ten years… The last time the two teams met was in 2017 when Utica came away with the sweep, winning the first game 5-4 in a walk off in the 10^th inning, before cruising to a 5-1 win in game two.  Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) was 6-for-8 on the day, while Jamie miller was 3-for-6 over the two games to pace the Pioneers. 
 
Looking Ahead: UC will remain home this weekend for a pair of Empire 8 Conference doubleheaders against Nazareth and St. John Fisher on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.  First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. both days.