TROY, NY - The Utica University softball team fell to No. 16 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in both games of their non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon.
 
No. 16 RPI 6, Utica 2
 
Cassidy Doiron (Beacon Falls, CT/Woodland Regional) and Taylor Kraft (Loudonville, NY/Shaker) led the way offensively, each smacking one hit with one RBI. Doiron was on base frequently with a pair of walks in the contest as well. Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) went 1-for-2 with one RBI and one walk while Rachel Little (Burbank, CA/John Burroughs) also tallied one hit.
 
Jordyn Conte (Newport, NY/West Canada Valley High School) got the nod in the circle pitching three innings on six hits allowing three runs, one earned, while walking one and striking out one and was credited with the loss. She was relieved by Lucia Gargiulo (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa) who went 1.1 innings allowing two hits, three runs, two earned with one walk issued. Maggie Habernig (Kingston, NY/Kingston) closed the game out strong going 1.2 innings while allowing just one hit.
 
It was a quiet start to the game until RPI started a rally in the bottom of the 3rd with four hits to plate a pair of runs and take a 2-0 edge after three innings of play. 
 
The Engineers tacked on two more in the 4th and 5th to extend their lead to 6-0 after five innings of play.
 
Utica's offense enjoyed a strong 6th inning with Joss singling through the left side on a 0-2 pitch to give the team a leadoff baserunner. Frankie Luster (Granada Hills, CA/Granada Hills Charter) then reached on an error to give the Pioneers two aboard with no outs. Doiron doubled to score Joss and advance Luster to third base with Kraft driving in Luster on a sacrifice fly to make it a 6-2 game which would stand as the game's final score.
 
No. 16 RPI 6, Utica 0
 
Joss and Little each tallied one hit in the contest while Joss, Luster, Maddie Zulager (Moorpark, CA/Moorpark), and Doiron all reached base via a walk. Joss also stole second base in the 5th and got into scoring position for the heart of the lineup.
 
Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) got the start in the circle going four innings allowing four runs, one earned, on five hits with three walks issued and was credited with the loss. She was relieved by Kelly Thornton (Stanhope, NJ/Lenape Valley Regional) who went the final two innings allowing two runs, both earned, on four hits, issuing one walk while punching out a pair.
 
It was a pitcher's duel to begin the game with the team's combining for just two hits over the first three innings. 
 
The Engineers had a loud 4th inning capitalizing on three hits and an error to plate four runs and take a 4-0 lead after four innings of play.
 
Utica responded with a two-out rally in the 5th as Joss singled and stole second to get into scoring position for the heart of the lineup. Luster and Maddie Zulager (Moorpark, CA/Moorpark) each boasted terrific at bats, and both walked to load the bases. Yet RPI was able to escape the jam unscathed.
 
The Engineers responded by tacking on a pair of runs in the 6th to extend their lead to 6-0. Utica made some noise in the 7th as both Little and Joss reached on errors to give the Pioneers a pair of runners on base with just one out. However, the team could not convert and 6-0 would remain the game's final score.
 
Utica (13-7, 4-0 Empire 8) will host crosstown rival SUNY Poly on Wednesday, April 17 with game one scheduled for 4 p.m.