ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University softball team began Empire 8 action with a pair of wins over Utica University on Sunday afternoon from Harrington Field.
 
The Saxons (7-8, 2-0 Empire 8) were behind the Pioneers (5-11, 0-2 Empire 8) for the majority of the game as they faced a 4-2 deficit after five and a half innings of play. A big, four-run bottom of the sixth led AU to the Empire 8-opening win, 6-4. In the nightcap, the Saxons kept the strong momentum with a 3-0 lead after one inning which ultimately led to the 6-2 win.
 
"A great way to start conference play. Great performance all around today as we never gave up, we kept battling and we were resilient against a team that always plays us tough," Head Coach Luke Wesneski said. "Very proud of all the girls as they did everything we asked today and had selfless at-bats which was the difference-maker for us! They were getting bunts down, sacrificing themselves to score runs and coming up with some big hits when we needed them! Looking forward to a busy week of softball!"
 
Game One
Alfred University – 6  |  Utica University – 4
 
Utica got on the board first as their lead-off batter crossed home plate after a double drove in the first run on Sunday. The Saxons tied the game in the bottom of the second when Alyssa Guitron (San Bernardino, CA/Cajon) grounded a single to the shortstop, scoring Meghan Neto (Miami, FL/Doral Academy Charter) while keeping bases loaded. The Pioneers escaped the inning with a left field flyout.
 
Utica put two up in the top of the third for the 3-1 advantage before the Saxons closed the gap when Molly Lawson (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA/Trabuco Hills) scored on another Guitron RBI, making it a 3-2 visitors' lead. Utica pushed the lead to two with a single RBI in the top of the fifth before a series of four runs pushed AU past the Pioneers in the bottom of the sixth. Mya Wells (San Ramon, CA/California) scored what would be the game-winning run as she singled to center field to bring Ashley Lugo (Hesperia, CA/Oak Hills) home for the Saxons' tying run and Guitron home for the game-winner. AU tacked on the insurance run when Wells was brought home by Tatiana Mejia (North Hills, CA/John F. Kennedy) on a grounder to second base.
 
Arden Hatch (Orangevale, CA/St. Francis) picked up the win in the circle, pitching all seven innings and striking out seven batters. She only gave up four hits and two earned runs in the outing.
 
Gillian Flint (Caledonia, NY/Caledonia-Mumford) was 2-for-3 with a run, while both Guitron and Wells had two RBI and runs in the game.
 
Game Two
Alfred University – 6  |  Utica University – 2
 
Alfred University got out to an early, 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third with Lugo scoring first on a sacrificed flyball from Wells. The game-winning hit came as Neto got her second home run of the season as it also drove Guitron home.
 
The Pioneers attempted to push back in the fourth with a run to make it 3-1, in favor of the hosts but the Saxons scored another two in the bottom of the fifth off yet another home run, this time from Wells that also welcomed Lugo across the plate for a 5-1 advantage. Both teams scored runs in the sixth inning as the defense led by Megan Bennett (Athens, PA/Athens Area) closed out the game with a four-up and three down top of the seventh inning.
 
Bennett pitched two innings with a quick, four strikeouts while only giving up two hits and one earned run. Mikaela Perez (Pomona, CA/Diamond Ranch) was credited with the win in the circle.
 
Guitron was a perfect, 2-for-2 in the batter's box with one walk and one run. Wells totaled three RBI in the nightcap as she was 2-for-3 with a run. Lawson was 2-for-3 with one run while Lugo rounded out the top batting performances as she was 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI. Lugo also added two stolen bases to her career on the day while Lawson also snuck in a base.
 
The Saxons will next host back-to-back non-conference double-headers as the take on the Blue Devils of Fredonia on Tuesday, April 5 at 3:00pm (second game approximately at 5:00pm) and then Division II D'Youville College on Wednesday, April 6. Wednesday's games will start earlier than typical midweek games with the first to begin at 1:00pm from Harrington Field.