Softball | 4/7/2023 8:21:00 PM
KEUKA PARK, NY - The Utica University softball team (11-5, 2-0 Empire 8) opened league play with a sweep of the Keuka College Wolves on Friday evening, winning by scores of 18-9 and 10-1.
Utica 18, Keuka 9
The Pioneer offense erupted for 18 runs on 16 hits in the win. Kylie Murray and Erica Sanford each had three hits; Murray did so with a pair of doubles and four RBI while Sanford tripled and drove in two runs. Maddie Zulager belted her first collegiate home run as part of a two-hit outing. Other multi-hit performers included Emily Joss, Abigail Sacks and Alyssa Barbato.
Jordyn Conte started the game for Utica and was pulled after 1.1 innings where she allowed six runs, five earned, on four hits. Kelly Thornton came in and picked up the win after going the final 5.2 innings allowing three runs on four hits while striking out six and walking seven.
The Pioneers touched home six times in the top of the 1st inning with RBIs from Cassidy Doiron, Sanford and Barbato (2). The team's lead quickly dwindled after a one run 1st inning from the Wolves was followed by a five-spot in the 2nd as the game moved into the 3rd even 6-6.
However, Utica switched into high gear from that point forward.
The team regained the lead with three runs in the top half, all of which on a bases-clearing double off the bat of Murray, and another run in the top of the 4th for a 10-6 advantage. Keuka remained in the game though, closing its deficit to two runs entering the 7th and final inning.
Claiming an 11-9 lead, the Pioneers hung six runs on the board in the away half of the frame. The big hit came off the bat of Zulager, who went yard for the first time in her career, a two-run shot that, at the time, extended Utica's lead to 15-9.
Thornton came back on to pitch the final inning and did so without harm for the team's first E8 win of the year.
Utica 10, Keuka 1 (5 Inn.)
Kylie Murray had a spectacular all-around performance in game two as she picked up her third win of the year after going the distance allowing one run on four hits while striking out three batters and walking none. She completed the game on just 52 pitches, 41 of which went for strikes.
At the plate, the sophomore went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored.
Also at the plate, Emily Joss hit her first home run of the season as part of a 2-for-3 game that included a double, two runs driven in and four runs scored. Lauren Paul totaled two hits and two RBI while Maddie Zulager had a pair of hits and an RBI as well.
The Pioneers' red-hot offense carried over into the early stages of game two with a two-run 1st inning followed by a six spot in the 2nd. Meanwhile, Murray made quick work of the Keuka bats as the game eventually moved into the top of the 4th with Utica ahead 6-0.
Murray further helped her own cause in the away half of the frame with an RBI double to push the team's lead to 7-0. After she tossed another scoreless half inning, Taylor Kraft doubled home a run in the top of the 5th before Joss delivered the final blow with a two-run shot to hand the Pioneers a 1-0 lead.
Despite allowing her first and lone run of the game in the bottom of the 5th, Murray went on to shut the door on Keuka to end the game via run rule.
Utica will travel to Elmira College on Saturday for a doubleheader against the Soaring Eagles. First pitch of game one is set for 1 p.m.