KISSIMMEE, FL – The Alfred University softball team split on its final day of the 2018 Spring Break Training trip to Florida with a loss to Plattsburgh State University and a win over Webster University on Saturday afternoon.

"I think we finished the week on a high note, but losing that first game to Plattsburgh was tough. Shannon [Schaefer] was very good in the circle and we hit the ball hard, but we stranded eight runners and you just can't win games when you do that," Head Coach Luke Wesneski said. "However, I was proud of how they responded against Webster. They executed well and hit with runners in scoring position. That was really the difference between the two games. I was also very happy to see some of our younger players step up and get the job done. They were very instrumental in Saturday's win."

Game One

The Saxons (7-5, 0-0 Empire 8) were edged in the final inning of play as Plattsburgh scored two runs on a walk-off single for the 3-2 win. Just one inning prior, senior Haley Powers (Newark, DE/St. Georges Tech) got her first home run of the season as she smacked one to left center field, scoring junior Lu Krawczyk (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca West) on the play as well to overcome a second inning, one run deficit, putting the Saxons on top, 2-1.

Sydney Saucedo (Whittier, CA/La Serna) went 2-for-3 on the day to lead the Saxons' batting. Senior Shannon Schaefer (Westfield, NJ/Westfield) picked up only her second loss of the season as she pitched 6.1 innings with a game-high six strikeouts and a game-low five hits and no walks.

Game Two

Alfred University bounced back despite being physically beat up with the 11 games in five days prior to the meeting with Webster. The Saxon bats lit up the scoreboard in the third, fourth and sixth innings of play as they eight-run-ruled the Gorlocks in six innings.

Webster took an early two-run lead in the first inning, batting against Schaefer as the Saxon pitchers were depleted with injuries. They tacked on another run in the top of the third before the momentum shifted towards the purple and gold.

Junior Becca Alexander (Middletown, DE/Middletown) hit a double to left center with bases loaded to tie the game, 3-3, scoring Saucedo, Schaefer and Chantel Singleton (Olean, NY/Olean). All three runs were unearned. The following at-bat was Krawczyk who also doubled to left field to send Alexander home for the Saxon, 4-3 lead.

The Saxon lead continued to grow as Schaefer got to first on a fielder's choice bunt, sending Saucedo to third but allowing Brenna Alvis (Costa Mesa, CA/Costa Mesa) to sneak home as the throw home was not quicker than the first-year.

Singleton stepped up next to hit a single (advancing to second on the throw) that scored both Saucedo and Schaefer for the 7-3 Saxon lead. Sophomore Elena Ceja (Redondo Beach, CA/Redondo Beach Union) reached first on an error by the Webster pitcher that allowed Singleton to paste another run on the scoreboard, 8-4.

Webster attempted to fight back in the top of the fifth with a run, but the Saxon sixth allowed AU to get out of the game early and gave the Saxons a win as they left Florida the same day.

Ceja singled to right center that sent Singleton home for a 9-4 Saxon advantage. Powers, who homered in the first game of the day, hit a double to right center as well, scoring Ceja, Alexander and Krawczyk for the 12-4, eight-run-rule victory.

Singleton was 3-for-3 with two RBI's and three runs to lead Alfred University's offense. Powers and Alexander both had three RBI's while Alexander went 2-for-4 with two runs. Ceja also had two RBI's and went 2-for-4 for the game with one run.

Alfred University also had five stolen bases against Webster with two coming from Saucedo.

Schaefer picked up the win in 4.0 innings with three strikeouts and five hits. First-year Moreta Dyke (Milesburg, PA/Bald Eagle Area) pitched the final 2.0 innings with two strikeouts and one earned run on two hits.

The Saxons are next slated to host Keuka College in a non-conference double-header on Saturday, March 24 with the first game at 1PM at Harrington Field.