CLERMONT, FL – The Utica University softball team continued its Florida trip with a pair of contests on Thursday morning, falling to Swarthmore College, 2-0, before dropping a high-scoring matchup with North Park University, 20-8.
Game One: Swarthmore 2, Utica 0
Utica was limited to two hits in the contest as the Swarthmore pitcher held the Pioneers off the scoreboard across seven innings. Alexa Thompson (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) and Candice Daigle (Lebanon, ME/Massabesic) accounted for Utica's lone hits in the matchup.
Emily Lehane (Franklin Square, NY/H. Frank Carey) made the start in the circle for the Pioneers, tossing a complete six innings while allowing four hits and two runs, both unearned, while striking out three batters. Swarthmore worked 11 walks in the contest but Utica's defense kept the game within reach throughout the morning.
The Garnet broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the third inning. After a runner advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt, an infield error allowed the first run of the game to cross the plate to give Swarthmore a 1-0 advantage.
Swarthmore added its second run in the fifth inning after a single to right field drove in a runner from second to extend the lead to 2-0.
Utica threatened in the final inning as Daigle singled to center field with two outs, but the Pioneers were unable to string together additional offense as Swarthmore secured the shutout victory.
Game Two: North Park 20, Utica 8
The Pioneers produced strong offensive numbers in the second game of the day, collecting 10 hits, led by Mya Strong (Hudson Falls, NY/Hudson Falls) and Meghan Paul (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) with two hits each. Strong finished with three runs scored and a triple, while Paul added two runs and an RBI. Candice Daigle (Lebanon, ME/Massabesic) led the team with four RBIs, and Eden Resch (Stillwater, NY/Stillwater) contributed a hit and an RBI as well.
Utica struck first in the bottom of the opening inning. Strong and Paul opened the frame with back-to-back singles before Daigle delivered a two-run single to give the Pioneers an early 2-1 advantage.
North Park evened the contest in the second inning before Utica reclaimed momentum in the third. Paul reached with a single and later scored as the Pioneers pushed three runs across the plate to take a 5-2 lead.
Utica added another run in the fourth inning as Thompson doubled to center field, bringing Strong home and extending the lead to 6-2.
North Park responded with a massive fifth inning, scoring 11 runs to swing the game in its favor and take a 13-6 advantage. The Vikings continued the offensive surge later in the frame, eventually pushing the lead to 20-6.
The Pioneers continued to battle in the sixth inning, as Strong tripled to right field to drive in a run before Paul lifted a sacrifice fly to bring Strong home, cutting the deficit to 20-8. Utica would not get closer, however, as the Vikings held on for the win.
Utica (1-7, 0-0 Empire 8) completes its Florida trip tomorrow, Friday, March 13 with another doubleheader. Game one against Westminster College is set for 1:45pm.
