CLERMONT, FL – The Utica University softball team dropped a pair of contests during Tuesday's action in Florida, falling 8–0 to the University of Mount Union before a 14–5 loss to Hiram College.
Game One: Mount Union 8, Utica 0
Mount Union broke the game open with a six-run second inning and held Utica to just two hits in an 8–0 victory. Mya Strong (Hudson Falls, NY/Hudson Falls) and Lily Mazur (Rome, NY/Westmoreland) accounted for the Pioneers' two hits in the contest, with Strong singling in the opening inning and Mazur adding an infield hit in the fifth. Candice Daigle (Lebanon, ME/Massabesic) and Alexis Scott (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Forks) each drew walks as Utica attempted to generate offense against Mount Union's starter, who worked into the fifth inning before turning the game over to the bullpen.
In the circle, Maggie Habernig (Kingston, NY/Kingston) made the start for the Pioneers, pitching four innings and striking out one.
Mount Union capitalized in the second inning, scoring six runs on five hits and taking advantage of a pair of Utica errors to seize control of the game early.
Mount Union added two more runs in the fifth to extend the lead to eight. Utica threatened in the fifth when Scott walked and Mazur singled, but the rally stalled before the Pioneers could push a run across the plate.
Game Two: Hiram 14, Utica 5
Utica collected seven hits and mounted a mid-game rally, but Hiram's offensive surge proved too much as the Terriers claimed a 14–5 victory. Alexa Thompson (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) led the Pioneers at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance and an RBI, while Meghan Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland), Madeline Waddell (Riverside, CA/Riverside Polytechnic), Emily Lehane (Franklin Square, NY/H. Frank Carey), and Ava Hayes (Sauquoit, NY/Notre Dame) each added hits. Kadyn Hartel (West Henrietta, NY/Rush Henrietta) delivered the biggest swing of the game for Utica, launching a triple in the fourth inning that drove in three runs.
In the circle, Kari Graziano (Kinderhook, NY/Ichabod Crane) started the game for Utica before Maggie Habernig (Kingston, NY/Kingston) and Caroline Porter (Chittenango, NY/Chittenango) combined to finish the contest in relief.
After Hiram built an early 6–0 advantage through two innings, the Pioneers responded in the bottom of the fourth. Waddell reached and later scored as Hartel ripped a bases-clearing triple to center, cutting the deficit to 8–3.
Utica continued to chip away in the fifth. Paul led off with a single and eventually scored on Thompson's RBI single, and Hayes later singled home another run to make it 8–5.
Hiram responded with a six-run sixth inning, highlighted by a three-run home run to regain control of the contest and secure the victory.
Utica (1-5, 0-0 Empire 8) returns to action on Thursday, March 12 with another Florida doubleheader. Game one against Swarthmore College is set for 9am from Clermont, FL.
