ROCHESTER, NY – The Alfred University softball team dropped a 9-7 decision to No. 3 seeded Utica University on Thursday afternoon at St. John Fisher University.
 
The Saxons (26-12) had a slow start offensively and gave up four runs in three innings to start off with a 4-1 deficit to the Pioneers (20-13). AU put up four runs between the fifth and sixth innings but five Pioneer runs in the top of the seventh put the game too far away for the No. 2-seeded Saxons.
 
Going into the bottom of the third inning, down 4-0, Jessica Remm (Carmel, IN/Carmel) drove in Alfred's first run with Mya Wells (San Ramon, CA/California) crossing home plate. Wells was then credited with an RBI on a sacrificed flyball to left field, allowing Kendall Steward (Kennedy, NY/Randolph) to tag up and score, cutting the lead in half, 4-2.
 
Meghan Neto (Miami, FL/Doral Academy Charter) mashed a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning, bringing home Brielle Wark (East Amherst, NY/Williamsville East) to tie the game, 4-4. Paris Guzman (Santa Fe Springs, CA/Santa Fe) took the lead immediately following Neto with a solo homer to right field, 5-4.
 
Utica scored five runs in the top of the seventh, making it a 9-5 game.
 
Neto, once again, recorded two RBI in the bottom of the seventh with a double to left field that brought home Samantha Vidal (Lake Worth, FL/Forest Hill) and Remm. AU continued to apply offensive pressure as Kody Watson (Flagstaff, AZ/Coconino) walked and Steward reached first base on an error by the covering Pioneer defender, loading the bases up. An unfortunate shot to first base, that was cleanly handled, ended the comeback and game.
 
Megan Bennett (Athens, PA/Athens Area) recorded four strikeouts in the loss.
 
The Saxons will next play the loser of No. 1 St. John Fisher and No. 4 Russell Sage game on Friday, May 10 at 12:30pm.