Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University softball team split an Empire 8 Conference doubleheader with visiting Elmira Friday afternoon at Harrington Park.

The Saxons (23-7) won the first game, 10-8, rallying from two runs down in the fifth of a game that began April 14, but was suspended due to rain. Elmira won the nightcap, 7-1. With the split, Alfred improves its conference record to 6-4.

In the opener, AU resumed play with junior Alyson Hampton (Oxnard, CA/Oxnard) on first and one out. Hampton stole second and advanced to third on an error before coming home on another error.

The Saxons took the lead with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. A one-out single by sophomore outfielder Samantha Jauregui (Lindsay, CA/Lindsay) scored senior Danielle Mastropierro (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) from third, and one out later, sophomore second baseman Dana Torchia (Pompton Plains, NJ/Pequannock Twp.) belted a two-run single that plated Jauregui and senior outfielder Rachel Guszick (Sparrowbush, NY/Port Jervis).

Junior Alison Wickwire (Towanda, PA/Towanda) got the pitching win, tossing two innings of one-hit scoreless relief, striking out two.

Torchia finished 3-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and a run scored and freshman third baseman Liz Thompson (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) was 2-for-4 with a double, three runs scored and one RBI. Senior outfielder Samijo Scheer (Corning, NY/Corning) was 2-for-4 with a double, a run and two RBIs; sophomore catcher Jasmine Picini (Alexandia, VA/West Potomac) drove in two runs; and Guszick scored twice.

Wickwire took the loss in the second game, allowing four earned runs on eight hits over five innings to fall to 10-4. Junior Tori Kramp (Yardley, PA/Pennsbury) allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits in 1 1/3 innings before sophomore Katelyn Jakobsen (Elmwood Park, IL/Elmwood Park) got the final two outs, allowing one hit and striking out two.

After three scoreless innings, Elmira got on the board, scoring two in the fourth. AU answered with a single run in the bottom of the frame, as Torchia doubled and scored on a double by sophomore shortstop Nicole Maher (Newark, DE/Caravel Academy). Elmira put the game away with two min the sixth and three in the seventh, with all five runs scoring on homeruns.

AU is in action next on Monday, April 28, for a 3:30 Empire 8 doubleheader at Utica. The doubleheader with Utica was to have been played Saturday (April 26) but was postponed due to anticipated inclement weather.

A sweep of Utica would give Alfred the second seed in next weekend's Empire 8 Conference championship tournament at top-seeded Ithaca. The winner of the four-team double-elimination tournament, scheduled for Friday and Saturday (May 2 and 3) earns the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III championship tournament.