Saratoga Springs, NY- The Utica University softball team dropped a non-conference double-header to host Skidmore College on Saturday, falling 9-8 in game one and 13-2 in game two.
Utica 8, Skidmore 9- Game One Final
Trailing 9-2 after four innings, the Pioneers began to mount a comeback. With one out and a runner on second,
Kaitlyn Paul (Albany, NY/Guilderland) hit an RBI double in the fifth inning to spark the rally. Just two batters later, Paul was driven in by
Alyssa Barbato (Rhinebeck, NY/Rhinebeck ) to bring the score to 9-4.
Utica added one run in the sixth inning thanks to an RBI triple by
Julia Phelps (Waterford, NY/Shenendehowa High School) to cut the deficit to four runs.
The Pioneers made it interesting in the top of the seventh as they plated three runs.
Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) got things going with a one-out RBI double to score
Abigail Sacks (Colonie, NY/Colonie). The next batter,
Abbigayle Finch (New Paltz, NY/New Paltz) reached on an error, which drove in Joss and Barbato. With the tying run on second base, Skidmore picked up two crucial outs to hang on for the win.
Joss led the way for the Pioneers going 3-for-4, while Phelps was 2-for-3, including two triples, with two RBIs and two runs scored. Paul meanwhile was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and one run, while Barbato, and
Abriana Wadley (Utica, NY/Proctor) also had hits.
Jordyn Conte (Newport, NY/West Canada Valley High School),
Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester ), and
Lucia Gargiulo (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa ) all made appearances in the circle, with Conte shouldering the loss. Skidmore's Lindsey Raimondi got credit for the win as she struck out four and allowed five hits in six innings of work.
Utica 2, Skidmore 13 (5 Inn.)- Game Two Final
Skidmore led from the beginning as the Thoroughbreds jumped out to a five-run lead in the bottom of the first and added six more in the third to take a commanding 11-0 lead. Utica was able to plate one in the fourth, but Skidmore responded with a pair in the bottom half of the inning to extend its lead. Despite scoring another run in the top of the fifth, it was not enough as the Thoroughbreds came away with the run-rule victory.
Utica had just three hits in the game, including two off the bat of
Alyssa Barbato (Rhinebeck, NY/Rhinebeck ), who finished 2-for-3.
Lauren Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) had the other hit for the Pioneers, while Abbigaykle Finich recorded an RBI as she had a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning.
Julia Phelps (Waterford, NY/Shenendehowa High School) and
Kaitlyn Paul (Albany, NY/Guilderland) each had a walk and Phelps also added a stolen base in the loss.
Lucia Gargiulo (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa ), Kyle Murray, and
Kelly Thornton (Stanhope, NJ/Lenape Valley Regional ) all saw time in the pitcher's circle for Utica. Meanwhile, Hannah Davis picked up the win for Skidmore as she struckout five and allowed just three hits in five innings of work.
The Pioneers (4-8) return to action Tuesday as they host Morrisville State in Utica's 2022 home opener. Game one of the double-header is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.
