ELMIRA, NY- The Utica College softball team remained in the hunt for an Empire 8 Tournament berth as it swept Elmira College in conference action Saturday, taking the first game 20-2 in five innings, and winning game two 4-0. 
 
Freshman Kaitlyn Paul (Albany, NY/Guilderland) was 6-for-8 on the day with four runs scored, while Madison Judge (Albany, NY/Colonie) had a team-high six RBIs in game one to lead the way.
 
Utica 20, Elmira 2 (5 Innings)- Game One Final
The Pioneers jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the top of the first and never looked back as they cruised to their most lopsided victory in over 10 years.  The Soaring Eagles plated two runs in the bottom of the first, but UC tacked on 12 unanswered runs en route to the victory.
 
All nine starters had hits in game one, with Kaitlyn Paul (Albany, NY/Guilderland) leading the way going 4-for-5 with four runs scored and three RBIs.  Sadie Evans (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa), Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South), Sara Stransky (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place), Madison Judge (Albany, NY/Colonie), and Brigid Johndrow (Bristol, CT/St. Paul Catholic) each had three hits. Jamie Miller (Boonville, NY/Adirondack) had two hits and two RBIs while Mikayla Blumenstock (Poland, NY/Poland) and Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) each had one hit. 
 
Judge led the Pioneers with six RBIs, including a three-run homer in the third for her first home run of the season.  Gabriella Caccamo (Suffern, NY/Suffern) allowed just six hits in the win.
 
Utica 4, Elmira 0- Game Two Final
Once again, the Pioneer defense shut down Elmira as Alyssa Samborin (Schenectady, NY/Mohonasen) gave up just three hits in the complete-game shutout.  Utica used a three-run second inning and tacked on another tally in the sixth to earn the sweep. 
 
Freshmen Kaitlyn Paul (Albany, NY/Guilderland) and Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) were each 2-for-3, Jamie Miller (Boonville, NY/Adirondack) finished game two going 2-for-4 with a run scored.  Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) and Brigid Johndrow (Bristol, CT/St. Paul Catholic) also had hits. Johndrow had two stolen bases in the win, while Miller and Sadie Evans (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) finished with one stela apiece. 
 
Samborin fanned one in the win, while her counterpart, Ally Barr finished with two strikeouts. 
 
The Pioneers return to action on Monday as they host Nazareth College in a crucial E8 doubleheader.  Naz and Utica are currently tied for the fourth and final spot in the Empire 8 tournament.  The first pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.