Elmira, NY -- EC Women's Softball hosted the Pioneers of Utica College for two Empire 8 games.  Elmira would fall 6-5 in game one which went to 11 innings and in game two Elmira rallied for an 8-7 win. 

Utica would jump out to an early 1-0 lead as they scored a run in the first inning.  Elmira would answer back with a three-run third inning. Erin Rupell '11 (Lehighton, PA -- Lehighton) would get things started in the third with a lead-off double. Meg Werner '12 (Vestal, NY -- Vestal Central) would reach on an infield single advancing Rupell to third. 

With one out in the third Werner would steal second before Taryn Rumsey '14 (Mansfield, PA -- Mansfield) would drive in Rupell for Elmira's first run of the game.  Fourth year standout Jackie Gibson '11 (Jersey Shore, PA -- Jersey Shore Area) would single into center which would bring Werner home, Rumsey would advance to third on the hit.  Rumsey would then advance to home on an illegal pitch by Utica, bringing the score to 3-1. 

In the fourth Elmira would score another run on a pair of errors by the Pioneers, stretching EC's lead to three runs.  Utica would respond in a big way, scoring four runs in the sixth inning. Elmira would again have an answer as they picked up another run in the sixth to tie the game at 5 a piece. 

After several scoreless innings Utica would come out on top as Claire Gerlach singled through the left side of the infield, bringing in the game winning run. 

In game two Utica again grabbed an early lead, scoring 3 runs in the first inning.  EC would get back some ground by scoring 2 runs in the second inning, trimming the Utica lead to just 1. The slim deficit would not last as the Pioneers would put up another 3 runs in the third inning and cushion their lead with another run in the fourth. 

Trailing 7-2, Elmira was in desperate need of offense and got it in the fifth inning, scoring 4 runs.  Elmira's Erin Pruess '12 (Glen Falls, NY -- Glen Falls) would get things started as she belted a double into right center field to lead off the inning.  Rumsey would reach base on an infield single.  Mikayla Bean '14 (Williamson, NY -- Williamson) would then draw a walk to load the bases. Caitlin Roman '11 (Verbank, NY -- Millbrook) would bring in the first run as she singled into right field. Stephany Fontinell '11 (Shoreham, NY -- Islip) would bring in another run as she singled, cutting the lead to 3. Rupell would then reach with two outs on an error which would bring in two more runs, leading to a 7-6 score. 

Elmira would put up another 0 on the defensive side of things, giving themselves a chance to take the lead in the bottom of the sixth.  Pruess would again get things started for Elmira as she drew a leadoff walk prior to stealing second base with one out.  Bean would also work the count for a walk, putting two EC runners on first and second.  Both runners would advance a base on a passed ball. Alex Andrade '13 (Fairhaven, MA -- Bishop Stang) would then drive in two runs as she found the gap in right center field.  Her two RBIs would hold up, giving Elmira their second win of the season. Fontinell would pick up the win as she struck out two batters in four innings of one-run ball. Most notably she worked her way out of a no out, bases loaded jam in the fifth inning by not allowing a single run. 

Elmira will look to pick up two wins tomorrow as they host Misericordia University in a double-header at Eldridge Park in Elmira, NY. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m.

Game One
Elmira College 5 Utica College 6 (11 innings)
Box Score 

Game Two
Elmira College 8 Utica College 7
Box Score