ORLANDO, FL - The Utica University softball team wrapped up The Spring Games beating Macalester 9-0 (5 Inn.) and falling to Gettysburg 2-1. Utica completed The Spring Games with a 5-5 record and split games all five days of action.
 
Utica 9, Macalester 0 (5 Inn).
 
The Pioneers offense was firing on all cylinders recording 12 hits and plating nine runs to end the game after five innings. Jennifer Rodriguez (Sylmar, CA/John F. Kennedy) continued her scorching start to her Pioneer career slapping a team high three hits with two RBIs and one run. Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) was a prime tablesetter going 2-for-3 with one walk and a team-high three runs scored. Frankie Luster (Granada Hills, CA/Granada Hills Charter) collected two hits with one run scored and both Luster and Rodriguez are locked in, each sporting an eight-game hitting streak.
 
Taylor Kraft (Loudonville, NY/Shaker) went 1-for-3 with three RBIs thanks to a bases-clearing double while Lauren Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) added one hit and a pair of RBIs. Cassidy Doiron (Beacon Falls, CT/Woodland Regional) added one hit, one run, and one RBI. Abigail Sacks (Colonie, NY/Colonie) and Amanda Chavarria (Westbury, NY/W.T. Clarke) each added one hit and one run.
 
Lucia Gargiulo (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa) was fantastic, pitching a five inning shutout while allowing just six hits with zero walks issued to collect her first win of the season.
 
Joss started the game off with a single to right center and advanced to second on a bunt by Luster. Rodriguez doubled to deep left center to score Joss and give Utica a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st. The Pioneers had a few more baserunners in the inning yet Macalester escaped the jam.
 
The Pioneers offense exploded in the 2nd with six runs and five hits to grab a commanding 7-0 edge. Alyssa Barbato (Rhinebeck, NY/Rhinebeck) and Joss started the inning with back-to-back walks and a Rodriguez single loaded the bases with two outs. Utica used its rally caps with Kraft roping a double to left center to clear the bases and put the team up 4-0 yet the damage was not done yet. Sacks and Doiron singled with Paul doubling to left center to plate both and give Utica a 7-0 edge with the whole lineup getting an at bat in the huge inning.
 
Both pitchers settled in with the next few innings being quiet until Utica got some more momentum in the top of the 5th. Back-to-back two out singles by Chavarria and Joss gave the Pioneers baserunners with Luster and Rodriguez each recording RBI singles to push the lead to 9-0.
 
Gargiulo shut the door in the bottom of the inning to secure the Pioneers 9-0 victory.
 
Gettysburg 2, Utica 1
 
Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) led the way for the offense going a perfect 3-for-3 with an RBI. Jennifer Rodriguez (Sylmar, CA/John F. Kennedy) extended her hitting streak to nine-straight with one hit in the contest. Lauren Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland), Alyssa Barbato (Rhinebeck, NY/Rhinebeck), and Rachel Little (Burbank, CA/John Burroughs) all collected one hit.
 
Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) got the start in the circle lasting five innings on one earned run, allowing six hits, five walks, and striking out three. Maggie Habernig (Kingston, NY/Kingston) relieved her and pitched the final two innings allowing one unearned run on three hits, one walk, and struck out a pair while being credited with the loss.
 
Gettysburg started the game off with a double yet Murray was able to work out of the jam unscathed. The Bullets capitalized on a walk then error to get a runner in scoring position who came around to score on a single to give the team a 1-0 edge in the 2nd.
 
Both pitchers found their groove and forced multiple quick innings while also working out of jams well to keep the score the same after four and a half innings of play. Yet, Utica got some momentum rolling in the 5th as Paul singled to leadoff the inning. Barbato and Joss singles continued the rally with Barbato coming around to score to knot the game at 1-1 through five.
 
Gettysburg responded with a clutch single in the top of the 6th to take a late 2-1 advantage. Utica had baserunners in both the 6th and 7th including a runner in scoring position in the latter yet the Bullets were able to work out of the jam and secure the 2-1 victory.
 
Utica (5-5, 0-0 Empire 8) will remain on the road and face the University of Scranton in a doubleheader on Wednesday, March 20 with game one beginning at 3 p.m. and game two scheduled for 5 p.m.