UTICA, NY - The Utica University softball team is set for its regular season finale, hosting Keuka College in a doubleheader on Tuesday, April 29. First pitch of game one from Greenman Field is set for 4pm.
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Last Time Out: Leading the Pioneers in game one was
Rachel Little (Burbank, CA/John Burroughs), who went 1-3 at the plate and drove in Utica's only run. The Pioneers managed four hits in the contest, with
Brooke Beleza (Amherstview, Ontario/Jefferson Community College) doubling and scoring the lone run, while
Taylor Kraft (Loudonville, NY/Shaker) and
Alyssa Barbato (Rhinebeck, NY/Rhinebeck) each added singles. Utica drew two walks, with
Lauren Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) and Barbato each taking one.
Kylie Murray (Eastchester, NY/Eastchester) started inside the circle for the Pioneers, pitching her eighth complete game of the season. Murray went all six innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on eleven hits, walking four and striking out two. Leading the Pioneers in game two was
Abigail Sacks (Colonie, NY/Colonie), who went 2-3 at the plate. The only Pioneer run came off the bat of
Rachel Little (Burbank, CA/John Burroughs), who drove in an RBI single to score
Brooke Beleza (Amherstview, Ontario/Jefferson Community College) in the top of the first inning.
Maggie Habernig (Kingston, NY/Kingston) started inside the circle for the Pioneers, pitching three innings and allowing four runs on six hits with two strikeouts.
Kelly Thornton (Stanhope, NJ/Lenape Valley Regional) came on in relief, tossing the final three innings and giving up one run on two hits while striking out three.
Where We Stand: After splitting the team's series with SUNY Poly, and falling in both games to St. John Fisher, the Pioneers have moved to third place in the Empire 8 standings, heading to its final conference series. The Pioneers can finish as high as second, and as low as fifth. Utica does not hold tiebreakers over Geneseo and Alfred. In order for the Pioneers to take the second seed in the conference tournament, Alfred would need to lose both of its contests against SUNY Poly, and Geneseo would have to split with its remaining conference opponent Elmira. The Pioneers would have to sweep Keuka, and with a sweep would secure the second seed in the tournament.
Not So Little: Rachel Little (Burbank, CA/John Burroughs) put together a fantastic outing for the Pioneers last week, averaging .412 at the plate through 23 plate appearances. Through six games, Little drove in 11 runs, on seven hits, three of which were doubles, and a two-run home run against Nazareth. Little was also patient at the plate, drawing a team high five walks. Little shined against Nazareth, going 4-8 at the plate, with three runs scored. In the doubleheader, Little drove in seven runs with an RBI single, an RBI double, a three-RBI double, and a two-run home run in game two.
The Hands That Dealt: Maggie Habernig (Kingston, NY/Kingston) shut things down last week in her three outings. Sporting a 2-1 record over 14.1 innings pitched, Habernig managed to down 13 of the batters she faced. Habernig only gave up 11 earned runs in her three starts and only two walks.
Kelly Thornton (Stanhope, NJ/Lenape Valley Regional) was also a standout in relief for the Pioneers, appearing in three games. In her nine innings of work, Thornton only allowed nine hits, with only three runs, and struck out 10 batters.
Scouting Keuka: The Keuka College Wolves have posted a 5-26 record this season, and are 3-15 in Empire 8 play. Leading the Wolves at the plate is Hailey Jasinski, who has averaged .435 at the plate this season. Jasinski leads the Wolves in almost every hitting category, including hits with 37, runs with 19, triples with three, and RBIs with 18. Olivia Flynn has also been a hitter for the Wolves averaging .343 at the plate with a team high 13 doubles. Flynn, also a pitcher, has posted a 6.86 ERA this season after appearing in 15 games. Flynn has given up 140 hits with 88 runs and 48 strikeouts. Giana Mruczek has also done a lot of work in the circle for the Wolves, posting a 12.79 ERA after making 16 appearances. Mruczek has given up 113 hits this season, with 72 earned runs, and 17 strikeouts.
Up Next: The Pioneers will await their fate as the team heads into the Empire 8 Conference Tournament. Tournament information will be released when it is available.
