UTICA, NY - The Utica University softball team split its series against Alfred University on Friday evening. The Alfred Saxons took game one by a score of 4-1 before Utica took game two by a score of 3-1. 
 
Game One: Utica 1, Alfred 4
 
Leading the Pioneers in game one was Meghan Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) who went 2-5 at the plate. The only Pioneer run came off the bat of Emily Lehane (Franklin Square, NY/H. Frank Carey) who drove in an RBI. The Pioneers were patient at the plate, combining for six walks, with Taylor Kraft (Loudonville, NY/Shaker) taking two. Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) started inside the circle for the Pioneers, pitching her seventh complete game of the season, dealing all nine innings, giving up four runs off nine hits with two strikeouts. 
 
Both teams would be unable to bring runners across through the first three innings, until a groundout to the third baseman by Lehane would bring in Rachel Little (Burbank, CA/John Burroughs), breaking the ice for the Pioneers at 1-0 heading into the fourth inning. 
 
Alfred would respond with a run in the top of the fourth, before both teams would completely cool off offensively. A 1-1 ball game would remain through the scheduled seven innings, forcing the contest into extras. Neither team would be able to bring a run across in the eighth, and it would be Alfred that would walk away with the win in game one after a three-run ninth that would push the score to 4-1. 
 
Game Two: Utica 3, Alfred 1
 
Leading the Pioneers in game two was Brooke Beleza (Amherstview, Ontario/Jefferson Community College), who went 2-4 with an RBI, and Abigail Sacks (Colonie, NY/Colonie), who went 1-3, with a solo shot to center field that would tie the ball game. Lucia Gargiulo (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa) got the starting nod in game two, pitching five innings and allowing one run on four hits with a strikeout. Kelly Thornton (Stanhope, NJ/Lenape Valley Regional) came in relief, working through two innings in her second win of the season, allowing no runs on three hits. 
 
Another scoreless battle would ensue through five innings, until Alfred would break the ice this time around with an RBI double through the left side that would bring in its first and only run of the game. 
 
Utica would respond in the sixth, beginning with a solo shot to center field by Abigail Sacks (Colonie, NY/Colonie) for her second home run of the season that would tie the game at one apiece. With the bases loaded, Beleza would single to the shortstop, bringing in Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) for the Pioneers second run of the inning. On the following pitch, the runners would advance on a wild pitch, scoring Alexis Scott (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Forks) to push the score to 3-1. 
 
A bases loaded situation would be fizzled out by a groundout to the second baseman Little in the top of the seventh by the Saxons, allowing the Pioneers to walk away with the 3-1 win. 
 
Utica (15-7, 10-2 Empire 8) returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, April 19 as the team takes on the Houghton University Highlanders in an Empire 8 Conference doubleheader. It will also serve as the team's senior day. First pitch of game one from Greenman Softball Field is set for 1pm.