UTICA, NY - The Utica University softball team dopped both games of a conference doubleheader to the St. John Fisher Cardinals on Saturday afternoon. Fisher took game one by a score of 4-1, before taking the second game by a score of 8-4.
Game One: St. John Fisher 4, Utica 1
The Pioneers were limited to four hits in the opener, with
Mya Strong (Hudson Falls, NY/Hudson Falls),
Kari Graziano (Kinderhook, NY/Ichabod Crane),
Madeline Waddell (Riverside, CA/Riverside Polytechnic), and
Eden Resch (Stillwater, NY/Stillwater) each recording one. Resch drove in Utica's lone run with a sacrifice fly in the fourth, scoring Graziano after she reached earlier in the inning.
In the circle,
Maggie Habernig (Kingston, NY/Kingston) went the distance, allowing four runs on six hits while striking out two.
Fisher broke through in the fourth inning with a two-run double, then added insurance runs in the sixth to extend the lead. Utica was unable to generate further offense down the stretch, as Fisher's pitching held the Pioneers scoreless over the final three frames.
Game Two: St. John Fisher 8, Utica 4
Utica showed more offensive life in game two, collecting nine hits, led by
Kari Graziano's (Kinderhook, NY/Ichabod Crane) three-hit, two-RBI performance.
Kadyn Hartel (West Henrietta, NY/Rush Henrietta) added two hits and scored twice, while
Mya Strong (Hudson Falls, NY/Hudson Falls) also tallied a pair of hits.
Eden Resch (Stillwater, NY/Stillwater) chipped in another RBI as well.
In the circle,
Kari Graziano (Kinderhook, NY/Ichabod Crane) got the starting nod, dishing out two innings, allowing four runs on four hits.
Maggie Habernig (Kingston, NY/Kingston) came on in relief, allowing four runs on seven hits, while striking out two.
The Pioneers struck first in the opening inning on an RBI single from Graziano, but Fisher responded with a four-run second inning to take control.
Utica cut into the deficit in the third on Graziano's RBI double, but Fisher continued to add on, including a two-run fourth and a run in the seventh.
Utica made a late push in the seventh, plating two runs highlighted by an RBI single from Resch, but the comeback would fall short.
Utica (15-19, 10-10 Empire 8) returns to action on Tuesday, April 28 as the team hosts Russell Sage College in a doubleheader. First pitch of game one is set for 3pm fromGreenman Field.