RSC SOFTBALL USES LAST INNING HEROICS TO SWEEP UTICA ON OPENING NIGHT

Albany, NY–Russell Sage College's softball team opened their 2021 season hosting the Pioneers of Utica College. The contest was the Gators' first home event in two seasons after their 2020 campaign was halted after their Florida spring training trip.  Sage racked up a 6-5 win over Utica in the first game and then in a marathon 10 inning nightcap came up with the 10-9 win. The Gators are now 2-0 on the year, while Utica drops to 3-3 overall and 0-2 in the league.

Game #1   Sage 6-5 Utica

The Gators used a seventh inning rally to earn the victory in the contest after trailing 5-4 heading to the bottom of the seventh. Sophomore Katelyn Rice (Albany, NY/Colonie Central) drew a walk to start the rally and moved over on a single by junior Arianna Papas (Castleton, NY/Maple Hill) before junior Taylor Dicranian (Bennington, VT/Mt. Anthony Union) singled to center field to drive in Rice. Senior Emily Agate (Franklin Square, NY/H. Frank Carey) to would drive in the game winner on a fielder's choice and propel the Gators to their first Empire 8 win on the year. The Gators combined for 10 hits with a pair of doubles and two stolen bases in the contest.

Papas was 4-4 with three runs scored and an RBI, while Dicranian, Agate, sophomore Makayla Lindsey (New Fairfield, CT/New Fairfield) all drove in two runs on the day, while Dicranian picked up the win in the circle with four earned runs off six hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Lindsey worked two innings with two strikeouts, one earned run and three hits.

Utica's sophomore pitcher Jordyn Conte (Newport, NY/West Canada Valley) took the loss with four earned runs off eight hits with three strikeouts and drops to 1-2 on the year.

At the plate, Utica's junior Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) was 3 for 4 with an RBI and a double. Senior Sara Stransky (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) was 2-4 with a double and a RBI for the Pioneers as they combined for nine hits with three doubles.  

Game # 2   Sage 10-9 Utica (10 innings)

In a game that went 10 innings and saw a combined 36 hits with 10 doubles between the two teams, the Gators once again came back to collect the win in the bottom of the 10^th.

In the bottom of the 10^th, Agate was placed on second. Lindsey grounded out and Agate advanced to third. Sophomore Erika Markowski (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) reached on a fielder's choice and went to second on the throw. Rookie infielder Samantha Larsen (Mount Marion, NY/Saugerties) had a sacrifice fly to right field to drive in Agate for the win.

Papas was 5 for 6 at the plate with three runs scored and a pair of RBI's, while Larsen scored five runs. Dicranian was 2 for 6 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Lindsey was 4 for 6 with two doubles and added an RBI.

In the circle, Dicranian worked 7.1 innings with 13 hits allowed and five earned runs with a pair of walks and strikeouts, while Lindsey worked 2.2 innings with four runs allowed off three hits with three strikeouts and collected the win to stand at 1-0.

Utica's Kaitlyn Paul (Albany, NY/Guilderland) was 2 for 3 at the plate with a pair of doubles and an RBI before having to leave the game with an injury. Junior Emily Joss (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) was 3 for 5 with an RBI, while Conte drove in two runs and was 1 for 2. Stransky added a pair of runs scored with two RBI's and a double after a 2/5 effort at the plate.