UTICA, NY - The Utica University softball team collected its fifth series sweep of the season over the Houghton University Highlanders as the team honored its seniors. The Pioneers took game one in a decisive 10-1 fashion, and then secured a come from behind victory in game two 5-4. 
 
Game One: Utica, 10 Houghton, 1
 
Leading the way for the Pioneers in a decisive game one was Brooke Beleza (Amherstview, Ontario/Jefferson Community College) and Meghan Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) who each went a perfect 3-3, with each scoring three runs, and Beleza adding an RBI. Taylor Kraft (Loudonville, NY/Shaker) and Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) each went 2-3 on the afternoon with Kraft adding three RBIs and Murray with two. Abigail Sacks (Colonie, NY/Colonie) added two RBIs to her outing, while Rachel Little (Burbank, CA/John Burroughs) and Alexis Scott (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Forks) each added one. Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) collected her seventh win of the season, pitching all five innings, giving up six hits with two strikeouts. 
 
Utica would get the bats going in the first inning, with runs coming in off the bats of Little and Sacks to push the score to 2-0 at the end of the first. 
 
The Pioneer defense would hold the Highlanders in the top of the second, and in the bottom of the second, tack on four insurance runs off the bats on Scott, Beleza, Sacks on a fielder's choice, and Kraft, pushing the score to 6-0 in favor of the Pioneers. 
 
The stone cold Highlander offense would be unable to bring a run in in the top of the third, and the Pioneers would also go cold until the bottom of the fourth, where the Pioneers would explode for another four runs. Two would come in on a two rbi single from Kraft, and another two would come in off a two rbi double from Murray. 
 
Houghton would bring a run across in the top of the fifth, but it would not be enough as the Pioneers would take game one in decisive 10-1 fashion in a five inning affair. 
 
Game Two: Utica, 5 Houghton 4
 
Utica was led by a strong all-around performance from several key players in their 5–4 comeback win over Houghton. Abigail Sacks (Colonie, NY/Colonie) delivered the game's biggest hit with a clutch two-run double in the sixth inning that gave Utica the lead for good. Brooke Beleza (Amherstview, Ontario/Jefferson Community College) set the tone at the top of the lineup, going 2-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base, and two runs scored. Meghan Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) also contributed with an RBI single and a run scored, while Kelly Thornton (Stanhope, NJ/Lenape Valley Regional) shut the door in the circle, throwing four scoreless innings in relief to earn the win, allowing just one hit and striking out two.
 
Houghton came out swinging, putting up two runs in the top of the first thanks to a sac fly and an RBI single. They extended their lead to 4–0 in the third inning on a towering two-run home run.
 
Utica responded with a run in the third, then chipped away with another in the fourth after an RBI sacrifice fly from Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester). The game shifted in the sixth when Utica exploded for three runs. Meghan Paul's (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) RBI single brought the Pioneers within one, and Abigail Sacks (Colonie, NY/Colonie) followed with a clutch two-RBI double to center that put Utica ahead for good.
 
Utica (17-7, 12-2 Empire 8) returns to action on Tuesday, April 22 as the team hosts cross town rival and conference newcomer SUNY Poly in a doubleheader. First pitch of game one from Greenman Field is set for 3pm.