Utica Cruises to Home Opening Victories Over Southern Vermont
Utica, NY (3/27/2013) - The Utica College softball team outscored visiting Southern Vermont 28-1 over the course of two games on Wednesday afternoon in the home opener for the Pioneers at Greenman Field. Alysa Russell finished the day going 4-for-5 with four RBI and four runs scored, while senior all-conference selection Meghan Matan snapped out of her slump, going 3-for-5 with two RBI and one run scored.
The Pioneers (7-5) cruised to a 13-1 victory in five innings over the visiting Mountaineers in game one. Four different players tallied two RBIs for the Pioneers and pitcher Briona Enny threw a two hitter, striking out 12, while allowing just one run. Enny’s 12 strikeouts was a new career-high, topping her previous mark of 10 set last season against Skidmore.
The Pioneers dominating victory came by way of a huge ten run second inning that saw UC register seven hits, and three walks. After an uneventful first inning UC came alive in the second behind two singles from Dominique Carcone a two RBI double from Alysa Russell, and an RBI single each from Alex Deyo, Meghan Matan, Bridgette Plummer and Mallory Ingalls.
Russell led the way for the Pioneers offensively, going 2-for-2 with three runs scored and two RBIs.
UC came right back in game two and earned another convincing victory, 15-0, in five innings. UC jumped out to a commanding 10-0 lead in the bottom of the first with the help of two two-run homers from Plummer and freshman Taylor Ellis. Cassie Smith and Courtney Fitzgerald each had a two-RBI single. Utica added five more runs in the fourth as Russell hit a two RBI single, and Carcone, Smith, and Ellis each hit RBI singles.
Freshman Abby Monroe struck out three and gave up just two hits for her fourth win of the season.
The Pioneers return to action Friday as they host Skidmore College. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m.