UTICA, NY - The Utica University softball team will host crosstown foe SUNY Poly on Wednesday with first pitch from Greenman Softball Field is set for 3 p.m.
 
Follow Along: Live stats and video for Sunday's games can be found through https://uticapioneers.com/sports/softball/schedule. 
 
Last Time Out: The team had a pair of walk off wins to come away with its first Empire 8 Conference sweep of the season as the Pioneers downed Elmira College 2-1 and 4-3 on Tuesday evening. The first game of the series was a pitcher's duel as the game was scoreless through five innings and the teams combined for just seven hits through the first five frames. Elmira, the designated visiting team in the series, broke the deadlock in the top of the sixth as leadoff batter Amelia Martin doubled to left field.  Martin advanced to third on a groundout, then scored on a wild pitch to give the Soaring Eagles the 1-0 lead. Utica evened the score in the bottom of the seventh as Abriana Wadley (Utica, NY/Proctor) scored on an error by Elmira's shortstop. Then, with runners on second and third with two outs, Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) singled to right field to score Brooke Catlin (Brewerton, NY/Central Square High School) and earn the walk off win.  Freshman Alyssa Barbato (Rhinebeck, NY/Rhinebeck ) led the way going 2-for-3 in game one. The Pioneers also had hits from Joss, Julia Phelps (Waterford, NY/Shenendehowa High School), Lauren Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland), Abigail Sacks (Colonie, NY/Colonie), and Abbigayle Finch (New Paltz, NY/New Paltz). Phelps and Lauren Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) each had one steal in the win. Freshman Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester ) had another impressive showing in the circle as she struck out five and gave up just one run on five hits in the complete game win.  Her counterpart, Ally Barr fanned two and allowed seven hits in the loss.With two outs in the bottom of the second, Utica had more walk off magic as freshman Lauren Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) hit an RBI single to score Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) from second to send the Pioneers home with the sweep. Utica jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning as Kaitlyn Paul (Albany, NY/Guilderland) singled to drive in Joss. The score remained the same until the fourth inning when Elmira got one back to knot things at 1-1.  Utica regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth as Kaitlyn Paul (Albany, NY/Guilderland) hit another RBI single, this time driving in two runs. Facing a do-or-die situation, Elmira plated two runs in the top of the seventh to tie the score before Lauren Paul's (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) heroics gave Utica the win. Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester ) tossed another lights out game as she once again struck out five and allowed just six hits in another complete game win. 
 
Heating Up: In her last six games, senior Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) has gone 11-for-19 at the plate with at least one RBI in four of six of those games. She ranks fourth in the conference with a .481 on-base percentage as well as with a total of 10 stolen bases, just behind fellow Pioneer Julia Phelps (Waterford, NY/Shenendehowa High School) and tied with teammate Lauren Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland). Joss leads the Pioneers so far this season with a .385 batting average as well, which places her eighth in the Empire 8. In all, Joss is currently riding a seven-game hitting streak.
 
Paul's Production: Another important and powerful piece to the Pioneer offense is senior Kaitlyn Paul (Albany, NY/Guilderland). Recording a .364 batting average so far this season, Paul is amongst the best in the conference in many statistical categories. She ranks second in the conference with four home runs, tied for second with 24 RBIs, and comes in at sixth with a .621 slugging percentage. 
 
Instant Impact: Freshman Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester ) has stepped into the circle for Utica and has delivered when called upon. She's currently 7-5 with a 3.38 ERA with her seven wins ranking second in the E8 and her ERA ranking eighth among conference qualifiers. Murray's nine complete games are the second most in the league, along with her 76.2 innings pitched, while also leading Utica with 15 appearances, and a .275 opponent batting average. 
 
Scouting SUNY Poly: The Wildcats are currently 2-10 and are on a five-game losing streak heading into this crosstown matchup. SUNY Poly is led by sophomores Amy DeSena (.353 batting average) and Aeron Hamm (.333 batting average). Junior Trinity Critelli leads all Wildcat pitchers with four complete games and 46 strikeouts. Utica is 29-12 all-time against SUNY Poly. The last matchups between these two teams came on March 27, 2021, where the Wildcats won game one 14-12, and the Pioneers came away with game two 9-1.

Up Next: Utica will be back at home this Saturday for a doubleheader against Russell Sage College on senior day. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. from Greenman Softball Field.