UTICA, NY - The Utica University softball team is set to open conference play with a three game road trip this week. On Tuesday, March 31, the team will travel to take on the Hartwick College Hawks in a doubleheader beginning at 3pm from Oneonta, NY. On Friday, April 3, the team will take on the Elmira College Soaring Eagles in a doubleheader beginning at 2pm from Elmira, NY, before taking on the Keuka college Wolves in a doubleheader beginning at 1pm on Saturday, April 4. 
 
Follow Along: For those unable to attend, live video for Tuesday's matchup can be found here, and live stats here. Live video for Friday's matchup can be found here, and live stats here. Live video for Saturday's matchup can be found here, and live stats here. 
 
Last Time Out: The team swept Hamilton College, 7-5 and 3-0, in its final non-conference doubleheader. In game one, a five-run fourth inning powered the Pioneers, highlighted by a two-run single from Mya Strong (Hudson Falls, NY/Hudson Falls) and RBIs from Alexis Scott (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Forks), Kari Graziano (Kinderhook, NY/Ichabod Crane), and Alexa Thompson (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy). Strong finished 2-for-2 with three RBIs, while the Pioneers drew nine walks. Maggie Habernig (Kingston, NY/Kingston) earned the win despite a late Hamilton rally. In the second session, Utica plated three in the fourth behind RBIs from Thompson, Madeline Waddell (Riverside, CA/Riverside Polytechnic), and Eden Resch (Stillwater, NY/Stillwater). Graziano tossed a two-hit shutout with five strikeouts.
 
Scouting Hartwick: The Hartwick College Hawks enter the matchup with a 1-11 overall record on the season. As a team, the Hawks are hitting .271, totaling 38 runs on 84 hits while driving in 32 RBIs through 12 games. Madi Hoerman has led the offense, posting a .429 average through 35 at-bats with 15 hits and eight runs scored while adding seven stolen bases. Alicea Seitzinger has also been a key contributor, hitting .343 with a team-leading nine RBIs on 12 hits. Shannon Mentz and Mihaly Blake have each added a .333 average, with Blake providing extra-base pop with a triple and a home run. In the circle, Alana Villavicencio has led the staff with 20.2 innings pitched, posting a 6.77 ERA with 13 strikeouts. Anna Klein has also logged significant time, going 1-1 with an 8.26 ERA across 20.1 innings, while Ashley Hacker has made seven appearances with 22.1 innings pitched. As a staff, the Hawks have combined for an 8.02 ERA, allowing opponents to hit .394. Overall, Hartwick has allowed 102 runs on the season while opponents have combined for a .394 batting average at the plate.
 
A Look at Elmira: The Elmira College Soaring Eagles enter the matchup with a 1-8 overall record on the season. As a team, Elmira is hitting .235, totaling 28 runs on 58 hits while driving in 26 RBIs through nine games. Jocelyn Jean and Teona Cruz have led the offense, each posting a .333 average with 10 hits apiece, with Cruz adding a home run. Sophia Polzella has also been a key contributor, hitting .320 with a team-leading five RBIs and a home run, while Kristen Cole has added a .292 average with seven hits.Kendall Curreri has driven in five runs while drawing five walks, and the Soaring Eagles have shown patience at the plate with 34 total walks as a team. In the circle, Shelby Dawe has been the most effective arm in relief, posting a 2.95 ERA across 19.0 innings while allowing just 21 hits. Savannah Persun has logged the most innings with 27.0, recording 10 strikeouts with a 4.41 ERA, while Hanna Burdick has picked up the team's lone win. As a staff, Elmira has combined for a 5.25 ERA, allowing opponents to hit .331. Overall, Elmira has allowed 48 runs on the season while opponents have combined for an .331 batting average at the plate. 
 
Breaking Down Keuka: The Keuka College Wolves enter the matchup with a 2-9 overall record on the season. As a team, the Wolves are hitting .284, totaling 32 runs on 74 hits while driving in 29 RBIs through 11 games. Olivia Flynn has led the offense, posting a .414 average with 12 hits, including six doubles, while adding seven runs scored. Gabby Glanville (.389) and Hailey Jasinski (.379) have also been strong contributors, with Jasinski leading the team with nine RBIs and three home runs. Alexis Kopetchny has added a .360 average, while Olivia Frank has provided power in limited action, hitting .400 with a home run and three RBIs. As a team, Keuka has also applied pressure on the basepaths with 10 stolen bases. In the circle, Olivia Flynn has handled the bulk of the workload, tossing 29.2 innings with 25 strikeouts and a 4.96 ERA. Julia Spencer has also logged time with 16.0 innings pitched, while Lizzie Kocsis has been the most effective arm with a 2.33 ERA in limited action. As a staff, the Wolves have combined for a 5.76 ERA, allowing opponents to hit .380. Overall, Keuka has allowed 89 runs on the season while opponents have combined for a .380 batting average at the plate.
 
Up Next: The Pioneers will take to Greenman Field for the first time this season to take on the SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles in a doubleheader on Friday, April 10. First pitch of game one is set for 3pm.