UTICA, NY - The Utica University softball team readies for another busy week with six games including four E8 matchups. The team will conclude its homestand against Union College on Wednesday, April 10 with a doubleheader set for 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The team will then hit the road and clash with Nazareth University on Saturday, April 13 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and face St. John Fisher on Sunday, April 14 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in Rochester, NY.
 
Follow Along: Those unable to attend Wednesday's game can tune in for live video and/or stats here. Nazareth will provide live video and/or stats here with Fisher providing live video here and live stats here. 
 
Last Time Out: In its opening set of Empire 8 games, the Utica University softball team swept the visiting Elmira College Soaring Eagles from Greenman Field on Sunday evening. The Pioneers took game one, 9-4, before claiming game two by an 11-4 score. Jennifer Rodriguez (Sylmar, CA/John F. Kennedy) and Taylor Kraft (Loudonville, NY/Shaker) led the way at the plate with two hits each, Kraft doing so with an RBI as well. Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls), Frankie Luster (Granada Hills, CA/Granada Hills Charter), Maddie Zulager (Moorpark, CA/Moorpark), Cassidy Doiron (Beacon Falls, CT/Woodland Regional) and Lauren Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) each had one while Zulager, Doiron and Paul led the team with two RBI each. Jordyn Conte (Newport, NY/West Canada Valley High School) went the distance in the circle and picked up her fourth win of the year. The win was also the 25th of her career, moving her into sole possession of seventh all-time in program history and one away from tying sixth all-time. She allowed just two earned runs on 10 hits while striking out nine and walking none. Utica scored 11 runs on 11 hits in the game two victory with Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls), Jennifer Rodriguez (Sylmar, CA/John F. Kennedy) and Erica Sanford (Boonville, NY/Adirondack) having two each. Joss and Rodriguez also drove in three runs apiece. Maddie Zulager (Moorpark, CA/Moorpark) belted her first home run of the season in a 1-for-3, three RBI game. Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) earned her third win of the year as the junior went five-plus innings allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks. She also struck out a pair. Maggie Habernig (Kingston, NY/Kingston) pitched a scoreless final two frames allowing just two hits and one walk with three strikeouts. 
 
Pair of Aces: The starting pitcher duo of Jordyn Conte (Newport, NY/West Canada Valley High School) and Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) have been fantastic in the circle for Utica this season. Conte is 4-1 thus far with a 3.00 ERA over 25.2 innings while allowing just 11 earned runs. Murray has been a workhorse pitching 39.1 innings over her eight appearances while boasting a 2.67 ERA and a fine 3-1 record while allowing just 15 earned runs.
 
Taylor's World: Taylor Kraft (Loudonville, NY/Shaker) has been on fire as of late hitting safely in eight of her last nine games to raise her batting average to .342 which ranks third on the team. Kraft's 13 RBIs are tied for the second most on the team and has driven in at least one run in six of her last nine games. Kraft has also been getting on base at a high clip and has scored at least one run in seven of her last nine outings and scored twice in two of her last three appearances.
 
Top of the Order to Ya: The top of the Pioneers lineup has been unbelievable with Jennifer Rodriguez (Sylmar, CA/John F. Kennedy), Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls), and Frankie Luster (Granada Hills, CA/Granada Hills Charter) providing consistent on base production while driving in big runs for the team. Rodriguez has been nothing short of incredible sporting a .551 batting average which is tied for seventh in NCAA Division III. The freshman is also in the midst of a 13-game hitting streak with 11 of those being multi-hit games. Rodriguez currently has 27 hits and is on pace to break the single season hits record which has stood since 2012 when Utica Hall of Famer Meghan Maton recorded 68. Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) continues to be a prime tablesetter for Utica sporting a .386 batting average with a team-leading 20 runs with her 13 RBIs being tied for second on the team with Kraft. The graduate student is in the midst of a six-game hitting streak and has recorded at least one hit in 11 of 14 appearances. Frankie Luster (Granada Hills, CA/Granada Hills Charter) has also been terrific with a .327 batting average, 11 RBIs and 12 runs scored this season. Luster has at least one hit in 12 of 14 games this season and has three multi-hit games in three of her last seven appearances.
 
Scouting Union: The Garnet Chargers are currently 0-10 to begin the season and are 0-2 in Liberty League play. The team fell to Ithaca College 5-1 in its last outing on Sunday, April 7. The offense is led by Ellie Wintringer who is sporting a .355 batting average while also leading the team with one home run and eight RBIs. Sam Rose and Tatum Perkins are two more reliable bats each smacking at least six hits while scoring three runs each this season. Autumn Duff is the team's ace sporting a 4.63 ERA with one complete game over 23.1 innings while allowing just 12 earned runs. Melody Kappel and Cassie Wiggins are two more solid arms each making at least five appearances this season and facing at least 52 batters.
 
Looking at Naz: The Golden Flyers are currently 2-14 and 0-2 in Empire 8 play after falling to Alfred 11-3 in its last outing on Sunday, April 7. The team will face Houghton and Buffalo State before hosting Utica on Saturday, April 13. Haleigh Sutor leads the offense sporting a .375 batting average and has been an extra base machine with six of her 18 hits being extra bases. Maddy Spakoski and Morgan Russo are two more fine hitters each batting at least .302 this season with six doubles, one triple, and at least 13 hits. The pitching staff consists of Avery Zembek, Sydney Collier, and Ashley Bell who have each appeared in at least nine games with at least 15 innings pitched this season. Zembek is the team's workhorse logging 49.1 innings thus far with 51 earned runs allowed.
 
Fisher Preview: The Cardinals are 12-4 this season and a perfect 2-0 in conference play so far and topped Alfred University 8-0 in its last outing on Saturday, April 6. The team will clash with Buffalo State, SUNY Cortland, and Russell Sage before hosting Utica on Sunday, April 14. Fisher's offense is led by the fantastic trio of Mari Spitz, Maddie Donlin, and Emily McManus who each sport at least a .417 batting average with at least 20 hits, three doubles, and 10 RBIs thus far. Ainsley Evanetski and Cassidy Ormond are two great pitchers each sporting a sub 2.02 ERA with five wins, at least 38.1 innings pitched, and a maximum of 11 earned runs allowed this season.

Up Next: The team will host SUNY Poly in a doubleheader on Wednesday, April 17 with game one beginning at 4 p.m.