ROCHESTER, NY - Three members of the Utica University softball team have been named to the Empire 8 All-Tournament team, as announced by the league on Tuesday.
Graduate student pitcher
Jordyn Conte (Newport, NY/West Canada Valley High School), freshman catcher
Rachel Little (Burbank, CA/John Burroughs) and freshman utility player
Jennifer Rodriguez (Sylmar, CA/John F. Kennedy) garnered all-tournament team accolades.
Conte went 1-1 with a no decision over three outings in the Empire 8 Tournament. She posted a 3.50 ERA over 16 innings pitched with 12 strikeouts (four in each game) to seven walks allowed. The graduate student shined in the team's semifinal win over top-seeded Frisher on Friday, May 10 as she earned the win after going four innings allowing two runs on five hits and a walk with four strikeouts. Conte was also previously named to the All-Empire 8 Third Team.
Little went 4-for-12 with a grand slam, seven RBIs and four runs scored over her four outings. She had at least one hit in three of four outings, highlighted by her performance in the semifinals on Friday, May 10. In that game, Little connected for her first career home run in the form of a 1st inning grand slam that jolted the Pioneers to a 4-0 lead. She totaled five RBIs in all in the victory. Little was also previously named to the All-Empire 8 Second Team.
Rodriguez was a constant threat at the plate over Utica's four games, going 8-for-13 with four RBIs and three runs scored. She opened tournament play with back-to-back three hit games which included a three-RBI performance in the opening round against Alfred. In the comeback opening round win against Alfred, Rodriguez provided the two-RBI single that put the Pioneers in the lead in the top of the 7th. She was also previously named the Empire 8 Rookie of the Year, as well as to the All-Empire 8 First Team.
The Pioneers completed their season with 22 wins and their first postseason appearance since 2021. The team also reached its first Empire 8 Championship game since the 2018 season.
