ALFRED, NY - The Alfred University softball team hosted Houghton University for a conference doubleheader Tuesday afternoon, coming out victorious in both matchups.

The Saxons scored a total of 28 runs in the doubleheader, taking game one with ease, 11-3, and finishing their day with a 17-0 victory in game two.

Game One
Alfred University - 11 | Houghton University - 3

Ava Galvan (Santa Fe Springs, CA / Santa Fe) got the start on the mound in game one for Alfred University, acquiring her eighth win on the season. She pitched three innings, only allowing three runs and striking out four batters. Loretta Sorochty (Batavia, NY / Notre Dame Batavia) came in to finish the game, pitching two innings and striking out two. 

Following three consecutive first-inning strikeouts by Galvan, the Saxons struck first in game one. After Samantha Vidal (Lake Worth, FL / Forest Hill) singled and stole both second and third, Kendall Steward (Kennedy, NY / Randolph) singled through the left side to bring Vidal home. Molly Whitmyer (Enola, PA / Trinity) then sent a single of her own into center, and after a bad throw, [Kendall] Steward came across to score. Paris Guzman (Santa Fe Springs, CA / Santa Fe) then picked up a single of her own to score Whitmyer from third.

The Highlanders evened the score in the second, but Alfred University came right back with four runs in the third inning. Following a double by [Kendall] Steward and an error that put Ally Boulger (Mukilteo, WA / Kamiak) on first, Guzman cracked a double into center field to bring both runners across. With Guzman in scoring position, Taylor Carlson (Huntington Beach, CA / Huntington Beach) bashed a single into left field to add another run to the lead. The Saxons were not done yet in the third, adding another run after Brielle Wark (East Amherst, NY / Williamsville East) crushed a triple into left-center field, bringing Carlson in to score.

Alfred University completed the mercy in the fifth inning, tacking on four more runs. Following a Sorochty single, Carlson sent a single of her own into left field to bring her around to score. Wark then singled and stole second, putting two runners in scoring position for Bella Mistretta (Alexandria, VA / Hayfield Secondary). Mistretta stepped to the plate and smacked an infield single to first, scoring Carlson from third. With two runners in scoring position, Whitmyer walked it off for the Saxons with a single that scored Wark and Mistretta and completed the run-rule in game one.

Game Two
Alfred University - 17 | Houghton University - 0

[Kendall] Steward got the start on the mound for Alfred University in game two, throwing three innings, allowing just one free pass, and striking out six batters. Carlson came in for two innings of relief, striking out three batters of her own and giving up no free passes. 

The Saxons had an explosive first inning, scoring nine runs with eight hits. After Vidal singled and stole second, she came across to score on a bunt single by Mistretta. Whitmyer then picked up a single of her own to score Mistretta from third. Following a walk by Boulger, Samantha Wendig (Exton, PA / Downingtown East) smacked a single into right field to score Whitmyer, and Boulger would come across to score on an error within the same play. Caroline Courson (Erie, CO / Erie) then sent a rocket into right field for a double, scoring Wendig from second.

In the same inning, Wark sent a single up the middle to bring Courson across home plate. Following a Vidal walk to put runners at first and second, Alexis Martinez (Anaheim, CA / Woodbridge) bashed a double into left-center to score both runners. Mistretta then picked up her second hit of the inning, blasting a single into left and scoring Martinez from second.

Alfred University stayed hot in the second inning, picking up six more runs. Following a walk by Eileen Hein (Chicago, IL / Loyola Academy) and two singles by Boulger and Wendig to load the bases, Courson sent a rocket into centerfield for a double, scoring two on the play. With runners on second and third, Wark singled up the middle to bring home two more runners. The Saxons weren't finished there scoring another run on a ground ball, and their final run of the inning on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Destiny Avila (Long Beach, CA / St. Anthony).

Alfred University added two more runs in the third inning. After two singles off the bats of Boulger and Sadie Steward (Kennedy, NY / Randolph), Wark singled through the left side to bring Boulger across home plate and picked up one more run on an error.

The Saxons held Houghton University scoreless, hanging on to the victory and completing two run-rules in the Empire 8 matchup.

Alfred University is back at Harrington Field for another Empire 8 doubleheader on April 30th, where they will host Elmira College. The first pitch is at 3:00 pm.