UTICA, NY - The Utica University softball team swept Medaille University on Saturday afternoon to pick up two crucial Empire 8 victories. The team also honored its two seniors Brooke Catlin (Brewerton, NY/Central Square High School) and Bailey McElwain (Baldwinsville, NY/Charles W. Baker High School) after the game, both of whom had major implications on the seventh inning rally in game two.
 
Utica 7, Medaille 2
Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) and Taylor Kraft (Loudonville, NY/Shaker) led the way, each picking up one hit with two RBIs. Cassidy Doiron (Beacon Falls, CT/Woodland Regional) recorded a towering home run while Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) had a pair of hits and drove in one run. Maddie Zulager (Moorpark, CA/Moorpark), Erica Sanford (Boonville, NY/Adirondack), and Abigail Sacks (Colonie, NY/Colonie) all had one hit in the contest.
 
In the circle Jordyn Conte (Newport, NY/West Canada Valley High School) pitched a complete game picking up her sixth win of the season. Over seven innings of work she allowed two runs, one earned on five hits with five strikeouts.
 
Medaille got on the board quickly as a first pitch triple sparked a 1-0 lead for the team in the top of the 1st. 
 
The Mavericks increased their lead to 2-0 in the 3rd on a sacrifice fly to right field. Yet, Utica responded to tie the game in the bottom of the 3rd as Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) doubled to bring home Sanford and Joss later scored on a wild pitch.
 
The Pioneers had a strong five-run 6th inning to take a commanding 7-2 lead. Doiron hit a towering home run to give Utica a 3-2 lead. Clutch singles by Kraft and Murray helped the Pioneers extend their lead to 7-2.
 
Conte shut the door in the seventh and Utica won 7-2.
 
Utica 1, Medaille 0
Game two was a pitcher's duel as the team's combined for just eight hits. Lauren Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) led the way with two hits and had the walk-off RBI knock. Sacks, Kraft, and Bailey McElwain (Baldwinsville, NY/Charles W. Baker High School) each recorded one hit.
 
Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) was incredible in the circle pitching a three-hit shutout to collect her sixth win of the season. The sophomore was attacking the zone with ease and over her seven innings of work allowed just three hits, zero runs, with six strikeouts.
 
The pitcher's duel held the game scoreless until the bottom of the 7th inning. After pinch hitting, McElwain singled up the middle to start the rally for the Pioneers. Catlin's key sacrifice bunt moved McElwain to second base. Utica loaded the bases after a pair of walks and Paul then hit a bullet to the shortstop to bring home McElwain and the game winning run before the throw could reach home.
 
Utica (17-13, 6-6 Empire 8) will head to Clinton, NY to face Hamilton College in a doubleheader on Wednesday, April 26 beginning at 3:30 p.m.