ALBANY, NY - The Utica University softball team was swept by the Russell Sage College Gators in Empire 8 action on Wednesday afternoon. 
 
Sage 4, Utica 3
Lauren Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) delivered at the plate going 2-for-3 with a home run, a walk, two runs scored and a RBI. Maddie Zulager (Moorpark, CA/Moorpark) and Taylor Kraft (Loudonville, NY/Shaker) also drove in one run each as part of 1-for-2 performances, Zulager by way of a solo home run. Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls), Cassidy Doiron (Beacon Falls, CT/Woodland Regional), Abigail Sacks (Colonie, NY/Colonie) and Bailey McElwain (Baldwinsville, NY/Charles W. Baker High School) all had one hit apiece. 
 
In the circle, Jordyn Conte (Newport, NY/West Canada Valley High School) was credited with the loss after going all six innings allowing four runs, three earned, on eight hits and two walks while picking up three strikeouts. 
 
The Pioneers opened the 1st inning with a 1-0 lead thanks to a two out solo home run to center field by Paul. Conte ensured the team's lead would stick through the first two frames as she faced just two batters over the minimum during the opening stages. 
 
Sage would claim its first lead of the game in the bottom of the 3rd, however. With one out and runners on first and second, Lauren Salmonese singled to center field to bring home the tying run from center. A misplay by Abbigayle Finch (New Paltz, NY/New Paltz) in center would allow the runner from first to continue on to home to grant the Gators a 2-1 edge. Conte would go on to get the next two batters out to limit the damage. 
 
Utica came back to even the score in the top of the 4th. With Zulager on third base and one out, Kraft sent a laser to the center field wall for a double, allowing Zulager to score easily. 
 
The Gators would strike back yet again though with a run in the 4th and 5th innings each to carry a 402 lead into the top of the 6th. Utica, looking to close its gap, did just that. With one out and no one on, Zulager got a hold of one and sent it over the center field wall to put the team back within one run. However, the next two Pioneer batters were sent down by way of infield pop ups still trailing by one. 
 
Although Conte worked out of a jam in the bottom of the 6th to keep the score 4-3, the Pioneers stranded the bases loaded in the top of the 7th as Sage fended off the team's comeback attempt in game one. 
 
Sage 13, Utica 1 (5 Inn.)
At the plate, Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) totaled two of the team's four hits over her three trips to the plate. Maddie Zulager (Moorpark, CA/Moorpark) (1-2) and Bailey McElwain (Baldwinsville, NY/Charles W. Baker High School) (1-1, RBI) combined for the other two. 
 
Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) (L, 5-5), Kelly Thornton (Stanhope, NJ/Lenape Valley Regional) and Maggie Habernig (Kingston, NY/Kingston) combined to go four innings allowing 13 runs, nine earned, on 10 hits and three walks. 
 
Sage jumped over the Pioneers early on with six 1st inning runs followed by three in the 2nd and four in the 3rd for its 13 run total. 
 
Utica's lone run came in the top of the 5th inning when McElwain drove home Abbigayle Finch (New Paltz, NY/New Paltz), who pinch ran for Brooke Catlin (Brewerton, NY/Central Square High School), on a two out base knock to center.
 
Utica (15-13, 4-6 Empire 8) will return home on Saturday to host Medaille University for a pair. Game one is currently scheduled for 1 p.m. The team will also celebrate its seniors following the completion of game two.