ITHACA, NY – The Alfred University softball team split a non-conference double-header on Tuesday evening at former Empire 8 and current Liberty League school, Ithaca College, winning game one and dropping in the nightcap.
 
The Saxons (14-11, 5-1 Empire 8) defeated the Bombers (13-8, 4-0 Liberty League) in game one, 3-2 before narrowly missing the comeback in game two, 5-3. "Our girls competed hard today! I was very proud of the effort from top to bottom and timely hitting was key in that first game. Something we have been working hard on and it paid off a little today," Head Coach Luke Wesneski said. "Ithaca is well-coached and disciplined. So hats off to them for a great double-header. I think we each made each other better today. Looking forward to conference games on Thursday!"
 
Game One
Alfred University – 3  |  Ithaca College – 2
 
The Saxons and Bombers both only managed five hits against the starting pitchers of the game while Ithaca tacked on only one against AU's relief in a low-scoring, Saxon win. Arden Hatch (Orangevale, CA/St. Francis) got the start for the Saxons and pitched 5.1 innings for her fourth win of the season. She struck out four batters while giving up five hits and two earned runs. Megan Bennett (Athens, PA/Athens Area) closed out the game with three strikeouts and only one hit.
 
Alyssa Guitron (San Bernardino, CA/Cajon) led the Alfred batting with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate, driving in the game-winning run when she singled to center field in the fifth inning, bringing Mya Wells (San Ramon, CA/California) and Ashley Lugo (Hesperia, CA/Oak Hills) across home plate for a 3-0 lead. The lead was cut in the bottom of the sixth when Ithaca scored twice but the Saxon defense kept the lead in their hands throughout the remainder of the game.
 
Allison O'Toole (Simi Valley, CA/Simi Valley) scored the first run of the day in the fourth inning when she skated home on a wild pitch.
 
Game Two
Alfred University – 3  |  Ithaca College – 5
 
The Saxons got off to another lead with a 3-0 start in the first inning of the nightcap. Lugo scored first when Guitron got to first on an error by the Bomber third baseman. Meghan Neto (Miami, FL/Doral Academy Charter) singled Guitron home during her at-bat for the 2-0 game start. Raygan Wescott (Taft, CA/Taft Union) drove O'Toole home to close out the first inning scoring session, not knowing it would be AU's last runs of the day.
 
Ithaca hit three home runs in a row, two in the second and a third, game-tying one in the fifth. The hosts got the game-winning score in the bottom of the sixth with a two-RBI double to left field as it was their first lead of the entire day.
 
Bennett started game two and pitched five innings, striking out three batters and giving up five hits and three earned runs. Mikaela Perez (Pomona, CA/Diamond Ranch) came in for relief in the top of the sixth, being credited with the loss on three hits and two earned runs.
 
The Saxons will next return to action with a road, Empire 8 double-header at Houghton College on Thursday, April 14 at 3:00pm and 5:00pm.