UTICA, NY - The Utica University softball team was swept by the Alfred University Saxons at home on Friday evening.
Alfred 5, Utica 2 (10 Inn.)
Maddie Zulager (Moorpark, CA/Moorpark) and
Cassidy Doiron (Beacon Falls, CT/Woodland Regional) recorded the lone two hits for Utica; Zulager a double and Dorion a home run.
In the circle
Jordyn Conte (Newport, NY/West Canada Valley High School),
Kelly Thornton (Stanhope, NJ/Lenape Valley Regional) and
Maggie Habernig (Kingston, NY/Kingston) combined for nine innings allowing two runs on 10 hits.
Lucia Gargiulo (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa) was credited with the loss as she allowed three runs, one earned, on two hits over 0.1 innings.
The top of the 1st inning started off with Alfred getting three runners on base with one hit and scoring a run. In the bottom half of the inning, Utica found themselves with bases loaded but ended up leaving all three runners stranded as the game moved into the 2nd with Alfred up 1-0.
Alfred tacked on a run in the top of the 3rd inning and eventually carried their lead into the 4th where Utica was still unable to produce much through the 4th inning with only a few walks but the Saxons still led 2-0.
The Saxons ended up loading the bases with two outs at the top of the 5th inning but Thornton was able to see herself out of the inning with a groundout to short, escaping the jam with no damage.
It was in the bottom of the 6th inning where Utica was able to produce a pair of runs. With one out,
Maddie Zulager (Moorpark, CA/Moorpark) doubled to right-center, setting up a
Cassidy Doiron (Beacon Falls, CT/Woodland Regional) two-run home run to center field to tie the game up at 2.
From the 7th inning through the 9th, Megan Bennett of Alfred and
Maggie Habernig (Kingston, NY/Kingston) went toe-to-toe in the circle, neither allowing a run. However, Alfred scored three times in the top of the 10th which ultimately became the deciding factor.
Alfred 8, Utica 3
Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) made quick work in the 1st inning while the Pioneers scored in the bottom half with RBIs from Laurn Paul and
Cassidy Doiron (Beacon Falls, CT/Woodland Regional) to lead 2-0 entering the 2nd. Murray repeated her 1st inning performance with another quick 2nd to bring Utica back to the plate. However, the team would also come up empty but still held a 2-0 lead after two full.
Later in the 4th, Alfred took its first lead after a three-run frame before striking again for two more in the 5th to lead 5-2 entering the home half. There, Utica chipped away.
Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) drove in a run to make it a 5-3 game entering the 6th.
However, Alfred got the run back plus one more as the visitors claimed a 7-3 advantage. Utica threatened with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 6th but came away empty. The Saxons scored once more in the top half of the 7th to put the finishing touches on its sweep.
Utica (17-16, 6-8 Empire 8) will hit the road to finish Empire 8 play at Houghton University on May 6.
