ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University softball team took two games from Russell Sage College on Saturday evening at Harrington Field in Empire 8 action.
 
The Saxons (15-5, 6-2 Empire 8) picked up a game one win with ease as they shutout the Gators (7-15, 3-3 Empire 8) in five innings, 11-0. AU handed RSC its first conference doubleheader sweeping loss of the season with a 6-3 victory in the nightcap.
 
"I'm really proud of how the team came out strong today and took both games against Sage. Nothing better than a sweep at home," Assistant Coach Cassie Reed '23 MBA said. "We stayed focused, played our game, and brought our sticks against a good Sage team. Now we're shifting gears and getting ready to bring that same energy into tomorrow's doubleheader against Hartwick."
 
Game One – Five Innings
Alfred University – 11 | Russell Sage College – 0
 
AU earned the win during only the third at-bat of the day for the Saxons. Molly Whitmyer (Enola, PA/Trinity) smashed a home run to left center field to bring home active military member, Jessica Remm (Carmel, IN/Carmel) for the 2-0 lead. Abigail Gatza (Burlington, ON,Canada/Assumption Catholic) crossed home plate with a single from Kendall Steward (Kennedy, NY/Randolph) to close out the opening inning with a 3-0 lead.
 
Alfred University would go on to score in every single inning, ending the game with an 11-0, mercy-rule victory.
 
Remm doubled to left field in the bottom of the second inning to send Samantha Vidal (Lake Worth, FL/Forest Hill) home. Remm scored herself when she stole third base and was able to turn and score on a bad throw from the Gator catcher. Whitmyer got home after her double to right field when Steward hit another single up the middle for the 6-0 lead. Steward crossed home plate when Ally Boulger (Mukilteo, WA/Kamiak) singled to the shortstop to make it a 7-0 lead, closing out the second inning with the mercy rule limit in sight.
 
The Saxons hit the minimum mark of the eight run lead when Alexis Martinez (Anaheim, CA/Woodbridge) grounded out to the shortstop, but picked up the RBI when Meghan Neto (Miami, FL/Doral Academy Charter) scored. Remm singled right back to the shortstop and beat the throw to pick up the RBI with Delaney Prather (North East, PA/North East) scoring the ninth run of the day.
 
Neto singled in the bottom of the fourth inning to add another insurance run as Steward scored on the play. She scored the final run of the game when Martinez singled over the second base's head.
 
Steward was a perfect, 2-for-2 with two RBI and two runs in the batters' box while also picking up the win inside of the pitching circle, striking out five batters and only giving three hits.
 
Doubles were plentiful for the Saxon bats as Remm, Whitmyer, Gatza and Prather all registered the extra base hits. Remm and Vidal each were successful in their stolen base attempts.
 
Game Two
Alfred University – 6 | Russell Sage College – 3
 
Russell Sage scored their first run of the day in the top of the second inning when a runner found an opening as Paris Guzman (Santa Fe Springs, CA/Santa Fe) threw to Whitmyer who tossed the ball to Neto when the Gator baserunner on first took too much of a jump off the bag for the successful pickoff. AU wouldn't get on the board until the bottom of the fourth, scoring four runs in the inning, enough to pick up the win.
 
Guzman singled down the right field line, advancing to second on the throw with bases loaded for three RBI, sending pinch runner, Sabrina Diaz (West Palm Beach, FL/Forest Hill) home for the first score in the game for AU, Gatza and Steward. Prather recorded what would be the game-winning RBI when Martinez scored on her single up the middle, making it a 4-1 game for AU.
 
Vidal added two safety RBI when she tripled to right field, switching from her left-handed, slap stance, to her right-handed power stance. The triple sent Neto and Prather home for the 6-1 lead.
 
The Gators put two more runs on the board in the top of the seventh, but the rally fell short when the Saxon defense recorded the double play as a ground ball went to Prather at second base, setting herself up to tag the lead runner before getting to the bag and throwing to Whitmyer for the force at first base.
 
Sage out-hit the Saxons, 10-8 in the game despite the loss.
 
Loretta Sorochty (Batavia, NY/Notre Dame Batavia) picked up the win in the circle with one strikeout.
 
The Saxons will next host Hartwick College on Sunday, April 13 for an E8 doubleheader at 1:00pm and 3:00pm at Harrington Field, after the twin bill was rescheduled from Friday, April 11.