UTICA, NY - The Utica University softball team is set for a three matchup week. The team will open its home slate with a non-conference matchup against the Hamilton College Continentals in a doubleheader on Tuesday, April 1. First pitch of game one from Greenman Softball field is set for 3:30pm, with game two to begin around 5:30pm. The team will then open Empire 8 Conference play with doubleheader matchups against the Elmira College Soaring Eagles, and the Keuka College Wolves on Friday, April 4 and Saturday, April 5. Game one on Friday will begin at 3pm and game one on Saturday will begin at 1pm. 
 
Follow Along: For those unable to attend, live video for all three matchups can be found here, and live stats can be found here. 
 
Last Time Out: The team split its final day of the team's Sunshine State slate last Friday afternoon. The team fell in its first game against Saint Mary's by a score of 14-6 before taking a come from behind win against Lasell, 10-9. Leading the way for the Pioneers in game one was Brooke Beleza (Amherstview, Ontario/Jefferson Community College), Alyssa Barbato (Rhinebeck, NY/Rhinebeck), and Erica Sanford (Boonville, NY/Adirondack), who each went 2-3 with Beleza driving in two RBIs. Sanford, Emily Lehane (Franklin Square, NY/H. Frank Carey), and Lily Mazur (Rome, NY/Westmoreland) each brought in an RBI, with Taylor Kraft (Loudonville, NY/Shaker) and Cassidi Mushenski (Hadley, MA/Hopkins Academy) each recording a hit. Lucia Gargiulo (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa) got the starting nod, dealing two innings, allowing six runs on three hits. Maggie Habernig (Kingston, NY/Kingston) came in relief, allowing five runs on four hits, while Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) came in to deal the final two innings, allowing three runs on three hits. In game two, the Pioneers rallied back from a six-run deficit to earn a thrilling 10-9 victory over Lasell University. Lehane led the offensive charge, going 3-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Mazur finished 2-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Murray added two RBIs, while Sanford contributed two hits, two runs, and an RBI. Kelly Thornton (Stanhope, NJ/Lenape Valley Regional) got the start in the circle, pitching 3.1 innings before Caroline Porter (Chittenango, NY/Chittenango) took over in relief. Porter earned her first collegiate win, throwing 3.2 innings with four strikeouts while allowing just two hits and no earned runs.
 
Spring Break Recap: The Pioneers completed the spring break trip going 5-5, with one full day of wins, and a trio of splits. At the plate, the Pioneers combined for a team batting average of .267. In 262 total at-bats, the Pioneers managed to put bat to ball 70 times, resulting in 51 runs with 43 RBIs. Utica has been patient at the plate, drawing 46 walks so far this season, a mark good enough for the top spot on the conference leaderboard. As a team, the Pioneers have been able to reach base over 38 percent of the time, with a total of 86 taken bases. 
 
Power Hitters: The Pioneer bats have been hot to begin the season, with Brooke Beleza's (Amherstview, Ontario/Jefferson Community College) senior campaign beginning in dominant fashion, appearing in all 10 games for the Pioneers last week. In 33 at bats, Beleza managed to average .364 with five runs on 12 hits and five RBIs. Beleza also led the Pioneers with three doubles. Beleza was also patient at the plate, managing to draw three walks. Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) has also been a force inside the batter's box, with eight hits, two being doubles, and five RBIs. Erica Sanford (Boonville, NY/Adirondack) has also been one for contact, knocking six hits with six runs, a double, and seven RBIs. Freshman Meghan Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) has made her impact quickly, as the outfielder nailed her first career home run on her first career hit against Widener. Paul was able to bring in five runs on five hits and a team leading seven RBIs. 
 
Pitching Prowess: Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) was a standout for the Pioneers in the circle, making six appearances in 10 games last week, with three starts. Murray sported a 1-2 record with two complete games and worked her way to a save. Murray posted a 4.40 ERA over her 20.2 innings pitched. In her 20 innings, Murray earned 13 runs, with 10 total strikeouts. Freshmen Caroline Porter (Chittenango, NY/Chittenango) and Emily Lehane (Franklin Square, NY/H. Frank Carey) have each made their impact in the circle, each securing their first career wins during the break. Porter appeared in four games, posting a 4.06 ERA and a 1.94 WHIP in 10.1 innings pitched. In her 10 innings, Porter only earned six runs, with 10 strikeouts, and allowed the lowest batting average of the Pioneer pitching staff to opponents at .261. Lehane appeared in three games, two of which being starts, posting a 3.36 ERA ,with four strikeouts over eight innings.
 
A Look at Hamilton: The Hamilton College Continentals have posted a 9-3 record this season, and are 1-1 in NESCAC play. Alexis Mayer leads the Continentals at the plate, averaging .457 through the first 12 games for Hamilton. Mayer has registered 16 hits through 35 at bats, with two home runs, four triples, and three doubles, with a team high 19 RBIs. Four other Continentals are in double figures in hits, with Emma Tansky, Sofia Santana, Charlie Quinn, and Yael Everett each notching over 10 hits so far this season. Tansky and Everett have been quick on the basepaths, with Tansky stealing a base in all of her 10 attempts, and Everett only being caught stealing once in her 10 attempts. Tansky, also a pitcher, has done most of the dealing for Hamilton, boasting a perfect 4-0 record in her four starts. Appearing in seven games, Tansky has registered a 1.37 ERA, giving up 24 hits and eight runs, with 39 strikeouts. Last season, the Pioneers took on the Continentals in a single bill slate, taking the matchup by a score of 6-3. All-time against Hamilton, Utica boasts a 27-11 record, and are 15-5 when the game is played at home. 
 
Scouting Elmira: The Elmira College Soaring Eagles are 3-9-1 and are 1-0 in Empire 8 Conference play. Leading the way for the Soaring Eagles at the plate are Brianna Ramstine and Hannah Colwill. Ramstine leads Elmira with a .371 average through 13 games. In her 35 at bats. Ramstine has registered 13 hits with one home run and three doubles. Colwill has also registered nine hits with two home runs and three doubles, with a team high 11 RBIs. Maryann Sobel has been doing most of the work in the circle for Elmira, starting in five games, posting a 5.75 ERA, giving up 24 runs and 35 hits with 12 strikeouts. Shelby Dawe has come in relief, appearing in 11 games, posting a 4.00 ERA, giving up 19 runs on 37 hits with 12 strikeouts. Last time out against the Soaring Eagles, Utica took both matchups 9-4, 11-4. All time against Elmira, the Pioneers are 32-13. 
 
Breaking Down Keuka: The Keuka College Wolves are 1-12 on the season so far, and are 0-2 in conference play. Leading the Wolves at the plate is Hailey Jasinski, who is currently averaging .471. Jasinski has put bat to ball 16 times this season, for a home run, a triple, and two doubles. Olivia Flynn has also been solid at the plate for Keuka, averaging .375 with 15 hits, nine of which have been good for doubles. Emily Cutrona has been the team's largest threat on the basepaths, collecting three stolen bases, only being caught stealing once. Flynn, also a pitcher, has started in six games this season, posting an 8.00 ERA, giving up 52 runs on 37 hits with 10 strikeouts. Abbie DeRock has done the same amount of dealing, starting six games, and coming in relief in one. DeRock has posted a 7.86 REA this season, giving up 41 runs on 48 hits with 15 strikeouts. Last season, the Pioneers split their matchups with Keuka, falling in the first game 9-6, before letting the bats get hot in the second game, taking the victory 11-1. 

Up Next: The team travels to Union College to take on the Garnet Chargers in its final non-conference doubleheader of the season. First pitch from Schenectady, NY on Wednesday, April 9 is set for 3pm, with game two to follow at 5pm.