KISSIMMEE, FL - The Utica University softball team split its opening day slate down in Kissimmee, FL at the Spring Games. The Pioneers fell in game one to Wheaton College, 7-0, before taking down the Widener University Pride in a come from behind win, 6-3.
Game One: Utica, 0 Wheaton, 7
Brooke Beleza (Amherstview, Ontario/Jefferson Community College) led the Pioneers going 2-3 and accounting for two of the Pioneers' four hits. Abigail Sacks (Colonie, NY/Colonie) and Alyssa Barbato (Rhinebeck, NY/Rhinebeck) each recorded a hit.
Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) nabbed the starting nod, pitching three innings with a strikeout. Freshmen Emily Lehane (Franklin Square, NY/H. Frank Carey) and Caroline Porter (Chittenango, NY/Chittenango) each tossed two innings with Lehane tallying two strikeouts.
Wheaton would get on the board first, scoring in the top of the first after a runner would advance on a stolen base, then was able to slip by on a double play.
Beleza got the Pioneers on the basepaths early, doubling to left center and then advancing to third on a wild pitch. Beleza would remain stranded on base as the remaining hitters would be unable to bring her in to get the Pioneers on the board.
Utica would be unable to match the offensive production of Wheaton, with the Lyons scoring in the first, second, third, fifth, and seventh innings to take the win 7-0.
Game Two: Utica, 6 Widener, 3
The Pioneers snapped into form in the second game of the slate, with Sacks leading the Pioneers going 2-4 with two hits and two RBIs. Barbato was able to put bat to ball as well, also going 2-4 with two hits and one RBI. Beleza, Murray, and Meghan Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) each recorded a hit, with Paul going deep for her first career home run on her first career hit.
Lucia Gargiulo (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa) got the starting nod for game two, pitching four innings with a strikeout, and only two walks. Kelly Thornton (Stanhope, NJ/Lenape Valley Regional) was credited with a save after pitching three shutout innings with two strikeouts and only giving up one walk.
Both teams would keep a close game through the first three innings of play, but Widener would be able to get on the board first with three runs in the bottom of the third.
Utica would be able to get out of the three run hole in the top of the fifth when Meghan Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) would notch her first career home run on her first career hit, breaking the ice for the Pioneers. Cassidi Mushenski (Hadley, MA/Hopkins Academy) would reach base on a fielder's choice, advancing to second on a single from Beleza. Rachel Little (Burbank, CA/John Burroughs) would then reach base on a error by the center fielder, advancing to second to bring in Mushenski and send Beleza to third. Sacks would single to left field, bringing in Beleza and Little to put the Pioneers ahead by one at 4-3 in the middle of the fifth inning.
In the top of the sixth, Erica Sanford (Boonville, NY/Adirondack) would walk to bring up Lily Mazur (Rome, NY/Westmoreland) who would advance on an error to second, bringing in Sanford to put the Pioneers ahead by two.
In the top of the seventh, Barbato would be able to put the game on ice with an RBI double to third, bringing in Sacks to put Utica ahead by three at 6-3.
The Pioneer defense would remain stout, taking out all three batters in the final inning, closing out the contest with a 6-3 win.
Utica (1-1, 0-0 Empire 8) returns to action in the Spring Games tomorrow, March 10th. Game one against DeSales University is set for 9am, with game two against Loras College set for 11:15am.
