WHITTIER, CA – The Alfred University softball team (1-1, Empire 8 0-0) split with Whittier College on Sunday afternoon to open the 2019 season and California Spring Break trip subsidized by Saxon Nation.
 
First-year Ashley Lugo (Hesperia, CA/Oak Hills) led the Saxons at the plate on the day, going 3-for-7 (.429) while added a walk. Junior Jillian Murray (Eden, NY/Eden) earned a win on the mound for AU in the second game.
 
Game One
The Poets, who were 4-4-1 coming into the first game, opened the doubleheader, scoring in the bottom of the first following a dropped strike three pitch. However, junior Elena Ceja (Redondo Beach, CA/Redondo Beach) wiped the deficit away with one swing of the bat in the top of the second inning with her first homerun of the season. Whittier threw three more runs on the board in the bottom of the third, taking the advantage 4-1.
 
The Saxons answered back in the top of the fourth with a double steal that led junior Jamie Wilcox (Forestville, NY/Pine Valley) to score on an error. The Poets denied a comeback down the stretch to secure the win 7-2 in the opening game.
 
Junior Jessica Wilcox (Forestville, NY/Pine Valley) threw six innings, accumulating seven strikeouts and allowing five earned runs. 
 
Game Two
Whittier opened the scoring in the second game as well, but their advantage did not last long. The Saxons answered back in the top of the second inning following a sacrifice bunt by first-year Delaney Kelly (San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch) which led to an error, scoring both Ceja and senior Becca Alexander (Middletown, DE/Middletown).
 
The Poets knotted the game up in the bottom of the fourth following gap single that scored two runners. One half inning later, another first-year in Alyssa Guitron (San Bernardino, CA/Cajon) batted in Lugo to give the Saxons lead once again, 4-3.
 
AU added two more insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning when Lugo ripped a liner into right center, pushing junior Alana Eaton (Corning, NY/Corning-Painted Post) across the plate. Guitron earned her first career RBI, batting in Lugo, who stole third one pitch before. Lugo finished the day with two stolen bases.
 
"They got here and worked hard today," Head Coach Luke Wesneski said. "Things didn't fall together for us in the first game and Jess [Wilcox] threw a great game. The girls executed well, but we just had a few mistakes that led to runs. I was happy with how they responded in game two. They came out and Jill Murray threw a fantastic game. The hitters started to get on time and execute bunts. When things like that happen, we are going to win some games. I'm very excited about the outcome today."
 
Over the course of two games, the Saxons recorded 10 hits, six stolen bases and four RBI's.
 
Sophomore Sydney Saucedo (Whittier, CA/La Serna) returned to her hometown to play at the collegiate level for the first time. "It made me very happy," Saucedo said with a smile. "I felt really supported. I hadn't seen them in months and I'm proud to come out here and play."
 
Saucedo played left field during the first leg of the doubleheader, recording one walk and a stolen base.
 
AU is back in action tomorrow when they travel to Redlands, CA to take on the University of Redlands at 3PM (EST).