ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University softball team swept Elmira College in an Empire 8 doubleheader during its final home games of the regular season on Friday evening at Harrington Field.
 
The Saxons (20-12, 14-4 Empire 8) won the opening game, 9-7 before shutting out the Soaring Eagles (9-20, 5-13 Empire 8) in the nightcap, 4-0.
 
Game One
Alfred University – 9 | Elmira College – 7
 
The Saxons opened the game with three runs in the bottom of the first. Samantha Vidal (Lake Worth, FL/Forest Hill) was the first to score when Bella Mistretta (Alexandria, VA/Hayfield Secondary) singled up the middle. Mistretta was then sent home with a triple from Kendall Steward (Kennedy, NY/Randolph). Steward would then find her way home when Paris Guzman (Santa Fe Springs, CA/Santa Fe) doubled down the right field line, making it a 3-0 lead.
 
Molly Whitmyer (Enola, PA/Trinity) earned the RBI when she hit a ground ball to the Elmira pitcher who couldn't field it in the bottom of the second inning, giving Vidal time to get home. Mistretta was sent home when Steward singled down the right field line.
 
Elmira responded with five runs in the top of the third inning, tying the game at 5-5. In the bottom of the frame, Whitmyer doubled to right center field to send Destiny Avila (Long Beach, CA/St. Anthony) and Vidal home to make it a 7-5 Saxon lead.
 
Ally Boulger (Mukilteo, WA/Kamiak) hit a solo home run to left field in the bottom of the fourth and Whitmyer struck again in the bottom of the fifth with a double to send Mistretta home, giving the Saxons their final run tally of nine. Elmira scored two runs in the top of the sixth but it was not enough to close the gap.
 
Whitmyer totaled four RBI on two hits while both Vidal and Mistretta each had three runs. Vidal and Mistretta also each had two stolen bases in the game.
 
Loretta Sorochty (Batavia, NY/Notre Dame Batavia) picked up the win and Taylor Carlson (Huntington Beach, CA/Huntington Beach) earned her first collegiate save.
 
Game Two
Alfred University – 4 | Elmira College – 0
 
The Saxons only needed two scoring hits to earn enough runs to win in the nightcap. Guzman homered to left center field to bring Steward and Boulger home in the bottom of the second. Mistretta doubled in the bottom of the fourth inning to send Vidal home for the 4-0 lead.
 
Boulger was a perfect, 3-for-3 at the plate.
 
Steward struck out eight batters and only gave up three hits in her complete game shutout.
 
The Saxons will next travel to Keuka College on Sunday, April 26 for an Empire 8 doubleheader starting at 1:00pm.