LEESBURG, FL - The Utica University softball team finished its Florida trip with a pair of wins on Saturday. The Pioneers defeated Plattsburgh State 5-2 before taking down Stockton University 8-5.
Utica 5, Plattsburgh State 2
Starting pitcher
Jordyn Conte (Newport, NY/West Canada Valley High School) surrendered an early run to Plattsburgh in the top of the 1st inning as the Pioneers trailed 1-0 until the bottom of the 2nd inning.
Brooke Catlin (Brewerton, NY/Central Square High School) started the scoring surge with a 2-RBI double to left to put Utica ahead 2-1. Later in the inning,
Alyssa Barbato (Rhinebeck, NY/Rhinebeck ) brought home
Lauren Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) and Catlin on a single to center to extend the team's lead to 4-1.
Although Plattsburgh added a run in the 4th, Barbato responded for Utica in the home half of the frame with an RBI double to put the Pioneers back up 5-2. From there, it was all Conte.
The junior hurled a clean 5th, 6th and 7th inning to preserve the lead and lock down the win for Utica. Conte allowed two runs on six hits and struck out three hitters in her complete game win.
At the plate, Barbato and Catlin had two hits each, combining for four of the team's five hits.
Utica 8, Stockton 5
The Pioneer offense started the game hot with
Kaitlyn Paul (Albany, NY/Guilderland) drove home
Lauren Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) and
Julia Phelps (Waterford, NY/Shenendehowa High School) to go up 2-0 early. Paul then crossed home on a fielder's choice off the bat of Catlin before
Abigail Sacks (Colonie, NY/Colonie) crossed home on a passed ball, putting the team up 4-0.
After Kaityln Paul made it 5-0 in the 2nd inning on a single, Stockton found the board in the 3rd while Utica answered back with another run in the 4th inning, making it 6-1.
Now 6-2 in the 7th, Barbato and
Abbigayle Finch (New Paltz, NY/New Paltz) brought home two more runs to put Utica 8-2 entering the final three outs. Although Conte gave up three runs in the 7th, the Stockton comeback effort was denied as the Pioneers took its final game in Florida, 8-5.
Conte tossed another complete game allowing three earned runs on 12 hits. Phelps and
Kaitlyn Paul (Albany, NY/Guilderland) led the team with three hits each, Paul doing so going 3-for-3. Paul also drove in three runs while Barbato brought home two on two hits.
Utica (4-6) is set to travel to Saratoga Springs, NY on Mar. 26 for a doubleheader against Skidmore College. Game one is slated for 1 p.m.
