UTICA, NY – The Alfred University softball team split with Utica University on Friday evening, winning the opener and falling in the second game.
 
The Saxons (19-7, 10-4 Empire 8) and Pioneers (15-7, 10-2 Empire 8) were tied up, 1-1 after four innings of play but remained scoreless to go into extra innings where AU put three runs on the board in the top of the ninth inning to win, 3-1. The low-scoring theme stayed true for the second game as AU was the first to score in the fifth inning. Utica put three runs on the board in the bottom of the sixth to close out the nightcap.
 
Game One – Nine Innings
Utica University – 1 | Alfred University  – 4
 
Utica scored first in the bottom of the third inning on a groundout to third, allowing the runner at third to score for the 1-0 lead. Delaney Prather (North East, PA/North East) singled in the top of the fourth to bring home Darby McEnery (Corona, CA/Norco), equalizing the score at 1-1.
 
Both teams' defenses held tough, keeping the score locked together until extra innings. Samantha Vidal (Lake Worth, FL/Forest Hill) and Jessica Remm (Carmel, IN/Carmel) both scored in the top of the ninth inning off a single from Molly Whitmyer (Enola, PA/Trinity) to break the tie and the scoreless streak. Sabrina Diaz (West Palm Beach, FL/Forest Hill) scored a security run off a sacrificed flyout from Paris Guzman (Santa Fe Springs, CA/Santa Fe).
 
The Saxon defense continued their strong play into the bottom of the ninth. The first at-bat flew out to Vidal in right field before two Utica players go on base off of two singles. The second out came on a flyout to Remm in center and the final, game-winning putout was recorded when the batter grounded out to Prather, who scooped and tossed to Whitmyer at first. Kendall Steward (Kennedy, NY/Randolph) earned her 13^th win of the season with four strikeouts.
 
Game Two
Utica University – 3 | Alfred University  – 1
 
Prather drove in the one and unfortunate-only run for the Saxons in the nightcap, doubling through the left side of the Utica defense, sending Meghan Neto (Miami, FL/Doral Academy Charter) home for the 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth.
 
Utica put three runs up in the bottom of the sixth, taking the 3-1 lead. The Saxons were able to load the bases in the top of the seventh inning when Neto singled to the shortstop, Prather singled to third and Brielle Wark (East Amherst, NY/Williamsville East) walked. A forced out at home and a ground out closed out the potential comeback for the Saxons.
 
The Saxons will next remain in Utica, NY, facing SUNY Poly on Saturday, April 18 for an Empire 8 doubleheader, starting at 1:00pm and 3:00pm.