Utica Sweeps Elmira in E8 Play; Matan Breaks Single-Season Records for Hits and Steals

4/26/2012 7:26:00 PM

Utica, N.Y.

Utica, NY (4-26-12) – The Utica College softball team swept Elmira College Thursday in Empire 8 play at Greenman Field.  UC downed the Soaring Eagles 11-1 in game one, by mercy rule, and 12-7 in game two.  Junior Meghan Matan etched the record books as she set the single season mark for hits and stolen bases. 

UC improves to 22-15 overall as well as 4-6 in the Empire 8 Conference while Elmira falls to 8-14 on the season and 1-9 in conference play. Utica returns to action Saturday as it hosts Alfred University in an E8 double header at Greenman Field. 

Game one

The Pioneers took a 2-0 lead in their first at bat on two hits and the help of two Elmira errors.  EC scored one run in the top of the second to cut the lead to one, 2-1, before the UC offense caught fire scoring five runs in the second and four in the fourth to mercy the Soaring Eagles in five innings.

Matan singled in the fourth tying the college’s single season record for hits (61) as she drove in the eventual game-ending runs. She finished game one with two hits, two runs scored and three RBI.

Freshman Courtney Fitzgerald added two hits, three RBI and one run scored while senior Haley Butler tallied two hits, two RBI and one run scored for UC.

Senior Heather Kingsbury registered her 11th win of the season as she tossed 5.0 innings allowing just one run on four hits while fanning three.

Game two

Utica opened up game two with five runs on three hits as Matan set the all-time single-season record for hits (62) with a leadoff double, sparking the home team rally.  EC tallied one run in the bottom half of the inning on a two-run homer, however could not keep up as UC managed to outscore the visitors 7-6 to close out the afternoon sweep.

Matan also set the single-season record for steals (17) as she snagged two stolen bases and now has 18 on the season.

Butler got the win on the rubber as she posted her sixth win allowing four earned runs while striking out five.

Senior shortstop Jess Anson went 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored while Butler helped herself with three RBI.

Sophomore right fielder Kristie Jones added two hits and four RBI as UC recorded its 22nd win of the season.