COOPERSTOWN, NY - The Utica University softball team took its conference opener by a score of 4-3 over the Hartwick College Hawks on Tuesday afternoon.

*The second game of today's doubleheader has been postponed due to the weather. Hartwick leads 3-2 in the bottom of the 3rd inning. More information on when the game will resume will be announced as it becomes available.*

Utica finished with seven hits in the contest, led by Mya Strong (Hudson Falls, NY/Hudson Falls), who went 1-3 with a double, an RBI, and two runs scored. Alexa Thompson (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) added a hit and drove in a run, while Kari Graziano (Kinderhook, NY/Ichabod Crane) and Madeline Waddell (Riverside, CA/Riverside Polytechnic) each recorded an RBI, with Waddell launching her first career home run, a solo shot to left center field. Alexis Scott (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Forks), Kadyn Hartel (West Henrietta, NY/Rush Henrietta), and Lily Mazur (Rome, NY/Westmoreland) each chipped in with a hit, as Mazur also scored and stole a base in the victory. 

Senior Maggie Habernig (Kingston, NY/Kingston) delivered a complete-game effort in the circle, earning the win after tossing all seven innings. Habernig allowed three runs on six hits while striking out six and working around three walks, securing her fourth win of the season. 

The Pioneers and Hawks traded runs early, with Hartwick striking first in the opening inning before Utica responded in the second and third to take a 2-1 lead.

After Hartwick evened the game at 2-2 through three innings, both sides remained scoreless until the Hawks took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth. Utica answered in the final frame, as Mazur singled and stole second before Strong delivered a game-tying RBI double. Following a flyout, Thompson came through with a clutch RBI single to plate Strong and give the Pioneers a 4-3 advantage. 

Habernig shut the door in the bottom of the seventh, retiring the side to strand the tying run and secure the comeback victory for the Pioneers.

Utica (6-9, 1-0 Empire 8) returns to action on Friday, April 3 as the team remains on the road to take on the Elmira College Soaring Eagles in a doubleheader. First pitch of game one is set for 2pm from Elmira, NY.