UTICA, NY - The Utica University softball team is set for another packed week of games opening an eight-game homestand against Houghton University on Tuesday, April 23 with game one scheduled for 4 p.m. The team will then host Keuka College on Thursday, April 25 at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. The team will conclude its homestand against Russell Sage College on Saturday, April 27 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Utica will wrap up its week hitting the road to clash with Hamilton on Sunday, April 28 at noon and 2 p.m.
 
Follow Along: Those unable to attend any of the home games can tune in for live video and stats here. 
 
Last Time Out: The team fell in both games of its doubleheader at Alfred 8-7 and 11-0 (5 Inn.) on Saturday afternoon. In game one it was a balanced offensive attack for the Pioneers with the team racking up 12 hits with four players having multiple hits. Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls), Maddie Zulager (Moorpark, CA/Moorpark), and Cassidy Doiron (Beacon Falls, CT/Woodland Regional) each smacked a pair of hits while driving in one. Alyssa Barbato (Rhinebeck, NY/Rhinebeck) went 2-for-3 with Rachel Little (Burbank, CA/John Burroughs) recording one hit and driving in two. Frankie Luster (Granada Hills, CA/Granada Hills Charter) had one hit and drove in one with Taylor Kraft (Loudonville, NY/Shaker) and Lauren Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) also adding one hit. Jordyn Conte (Newport, NY/West Canada Valley High School) got the start in the circle going two innings on six runs, four earned, allowing four hits with two walks and striking out one while being credited with the loss. Maggie Habernig (Kingston, NY/Kingston) relieved her pitching the final four innings allowing a pair of runs, none earned, on five hits while striking out six and hitting two batters. It was a much different game with the Pioneers mustering just a trio of hits in game two. Luster led the way offensively going 2-for-3 with Zulager adding one hit. Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) got the nod in the circle and went 3.1 innings allowing eight runs, all earned, on 11 hits, and walking one to receive the loss. Kelly Thornton (Stanhope, NJ/Lenape Valley Regional) pitched the remaining two thirds of an inning allowing three runs, two earned on two hits while striking out one. Luster and Zulager each singled in the 1st to give the team a pair of base runners with just one out. Yet a tough lineout by Jennifer Rodriguez (Sylmar, CA/John F. Kennedy) and a Taylor Kraft (Loudonville, NY/Shaker) strikeout stranded the pair.
 
Where We Stand: The team is currently 4-2 in E8 play which has them third in the conference standings. Utica's .319 batting average ranks second in the conference with the team also ranking top-three in home runs (12), hits (209), and runs (177). In the circle the team ERA is 3.19 which is third in the Empire 8 and has been consistent for the Pioneers all season.
 
Approaching History: Graduate student Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) turned in another strong week of play smacking at least one hit and one run in four of her six outings. Joss is approaching the 100 RBIs club as she is just one shy of becoming the fifth player in program history to do so. Her batting average has jumped up to .394 which ranks second on the team and eighth in the conference. Joss has been an on-base machine and her 30 runs stand as the top mark in the league.
 
Heating Up: Maddie Zulager (Moorpark, CA/Moorpark) has been heating up at the perfect time for the Pioneers as a large stretch of crucial conference games looms. The sophomore is in the midst of a three-game hitting streak and is 4-for-10 over her last three outings with one double and a trio of RBIs. She has become a mainstay in the Utica lineup and her 16 RBIs currently rank fifth on the squad.
 
Swinging It: Frankie Luster (Granada Hills, CA/Granada Hills Charter) has enjoyed a fantastic freshman campaign and turned in another strong week recording at least one hit in four of six outings. The Granada Hills, CA native is in the midst of a four-game hitting streak and drove in three runs over the course of the week and has cemented herself in the heart of the Pioneers lineup.
 
Sockin' the Ball: Abigail Sacks (Colonie, NY/Colonie) turned in a season-best performance against SUNY Poly on April 17 where she went 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs, and one run scored. The junior has been swinging a hot bat at the perfect time as the Pioneers approach the heart of Empire 8 play.
 
Ol' Reliable: The duo of Jordyn Conte (Newport, NY/West Canada Valley High School) and Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) have been lights out for the Pioneers and a major reason the team's ERA of 3.19 ranks third in the conference. Conte's 3.16 ERA ranks fourth in the conference with Murray's 3.46 right behind her. The duo are also top-13 in opposing batting average, innings pitched, strikeouts, and wins and will be leaned on heavily this upcoming week.
 
Scouting Houghton: The Highlanders are 10-16-1 and 2-4 in Empire 8 play which has them tied for fifth in the conference standings. The team topped Russell Sage 4-3 in its last outing on Saturday, April 20. Carlee Miller leads the offensive charge with a .378 batting average, 1.079 OPS, 31 hits, 10 doubles, and 27 RBIs. Danielle Nelson is another reliable bat sporting a .333 batting average with 29 hits, six doubles, three home runs and 21 RBIs. Kareena Ulfig is the team's ace sporting a 4-6 record with a 3.86 ERA over 61.2 innings and 34 earned runs allowed this season. Olivia Carr is another solid arm with 67.2 innings pitched over her 15 appearances with a 4.97 ERA.
 
Wolves Preview: Keuka is 9-14 this season and 3-5 in Empire 8 play which has them fourth in the conference standings. The team fell 14-6 to Elmira in its last outing on Sunday, April 21 and will host Hilbert College on Wednesday, April 24 before facing Utica on Thursday, April 25. Hailey Jasinksi leads the offense with a fine .443 batting average, 1.229 OPS, nine doubles, three triples, one home run, 21 RBIs, and 24 runs scored. Olivia Flynn and Makenna DeMoney are two more heavy hitters each sporting at least a .292 batting average and 17 RBIs. Flynn is a great arm with a 3.68 ERA over 51.1 innings sporting a 3-4 record with just 27 earned runs allowed. Lauren Gilbert is another reliable arm making 10 appearances over 32.1 innings thus far with a 4.76 ERA.
 
Gators Outlook: Sage is 7-19 this season and 3-7 in E8 play which has them seventh in the conference standings. The team fell 4-3 to Houghton University in its last outing on Saturday, April 20 and will clash with SUNY New Paltz and Mount St. Mary's College before traveling to Utica on Saturday, April 27. Madalyn Ring, Annalise Tyler, and Isabella Vano are three fine hitters each sporting at least a .342 batting average with 23 hits, nine RBIs, and eight runs thus far. Ciana Santana is another strong bat driving in 14 runs this season and has been a clutch hitter for the Gators.
 
Scouting Hamilton: The Continentals are 16-14 and 9-7 in NESCAC play this far. The team topped Amherst 6-4 in its last outing on Saturday, April 20. The team will face RPI on Wednesday, April 24 before hosting Utica on Sunday, April 28 at noon. The offense is led by Alexis Mayer who is batting .327 with 33 hits, 11 doubles, four triples, three home runs, 16 RBIs, and 22 runs scored. Natalie Beebe and Charlie Quinn are two more reliable bats with each sporting at least a .284 batting average, 23 hits, and nine RBIs. The trio of Beebe, Tansky, and Teagan Graham have all been fantastic, each sporting an ERA under 3.10 with over 50 innings pitched and at least 13 appearances. 
 
Up Next: The team will travel and clash with St. John Fisher University on Saturday, May 4 with game one beginning at 1 p.m.