POTSDAM, NY – The Alfred University softball team (17-15, Empire 8 8-4) took one-of-two games on the road against Clarkson University, taking game one in a marathon bout between the two schools. Junior Jillian Murray (Eden, NY/Eden) continued her hot streak at the plate, gathering four hits on the day to lead the Saxons.
 
AU took game one at Clarkson 9-5 in nine innings before dropping game two 6-2. Murray led the Saxons with four hits while first-year Delaney Kelley (San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch) tallied three hits and two RBIs. Eight different AU batters earned an RBI on the day, with junior Elena Ceja (Redondo Beach, CA/Redondo Beach) leading the way with three over the course of two games.
 
Junior Jessica Wilcox (Forestville, NY/Pine Valley) earned her 13^th win of the 2019 season, pitching another complete game, recording five strikeouts.
 
Game One
Both teams managed a run in the first inning, with AU getting on the board first. Senior Lu Krawczyk (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca West) got everything started by singling to right field before first-year Tati Mejia (North Hills, CA/John F. Kennedy) knocker her over to second. Kelly tallied her first RBI of the day, singling to left, scoring Krawcyzk. The Golden Knights responded with a run in the bottom of the inning to knot the game up, 1-1.
 
AU scored again in the top of the third when Murray singled to left field and advanced to second on an error by the short stop. She stole third during the next at bat and finally scored when Mejia smacked a sacrifice fly to centerfield, giving the Saxons the lead again, 2-1.
 
The Saxons added two runs in the top of the seventh with two outs. First-year Alyssa Guitron (San Bernardino, CA/Cajon) rounded the bases following a single early in the inning. Senior Kelley Staub (Eden, NY/Eden) batted her in with an infield single. Staub scored herself when Ceja belted a shot to right center field, giving AU a 4-1 lead. However, Clarkson came roaring back in the bottom of the seventh with a three-run homer, knotting the game up 4-4 and sending it to extra innings.
 
After two scoreless innings, the Saxons found momentum to put four runs on the board. It all began with senior Becca Alexander (Middletown, DE/Middletown) stealing third after being placed on second via the international tiebreaker rule. Guitron pushed Alexander across the plate with a single up the middle before fellow first-year Ashley Lugo (Hesperia, CA/Oak Hills) got on with a single to shortstop. Staub moved both runners over with a sacrifice bunt while sophomore Sydney Saucedo (Whittier, CA/La Serna) reached base on an error, earning an RBI on the play. Murray and Krawcyzk batted in two more runs to close out the inning, giving the Saxons some space to earn the win.
 
Wilcox pitched 9.0 innings, striking out five and allowing eight hits.
 
Game Two
The Saxons were held scoreless for five innings to open game two, falling behind 6-0. AU found life in the top of the sixth when Murray dropped down a bunt to open the inning. Mejia reached base on an error while Kelly got on via a single back to the pitcher. Finally, Ceja took advantage of the opportunity and singled to left, scoring two Saxons baserunners. However, the run came to a close with a double play and a groundout with one left on base.
 
Sophomore Moreta Dyke (Milesburg, PA/Bald Eagle Area) earned the start for the Saxons, going 3.2 innings and allowing only two earned runs. Murray came in relief, pitching 2.1 innings, allowing only one hit and one walk.
 
Saxons turn to another nonconference opponent on Thursday when they travel to Erie, PA to take on Penn State-Behrend at 3PM.