Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Hoboken, NJ -- Runs came at a premium this afternoon as the Elmira College softball team dropped a pair of one-run games to Stevens Tech. EC lost the first game 2-1 before falling in game two, 3-2 in eight innings.
 
Both pitchers for EC put forth strong efforts in the circle. Alex Puglisi'14 started game one and came on in relief in game two, throwing a combined eight innings. She allowed just two earned runs and struck out nine batters in her eight innings of work. Emilie Rogers'14 pitched the first six innings of game two, giving up two earned runs on just five hits while striking out eight batters.
 
Game One Recap – Stevens Tech 2, Elmira 1
 
The first game of the double-header featured a classic pitcher's duel as both EC's Alex Puglisi '14 and Stevens' Kayla Berardi kept hits to a minimum. The Ducks would get an unearned run on the board in the bottom of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead, but that would be all that Stevens would get as Puglisi worked herself out of a jam by striking out Emily Sellitti.
 
Puglisi, leading off the top of the fourth inning, helped her own cause by hitting her third home run in as many games. Her solo shot tied the game at one and gave Elmira new life. Ashley Palmer '16 singled and advanced into scoring position on an Emily Carlin '17 groundout, but EC could not push her across as the game remained tied.
 
The pitching battle continued as the teams traded empty frames as the game progressed into the later innings. EC had an opportunity in the top of the sixth inning to go on top, but Katie Dore'15 was unable to drive Mikayla Bean'14 in as Stevens worked out of the jam.
 
The Ducks would push across the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning to give Stevens the 2-1 win in game one of the double-header. Puglisi struck out the first two batters of the inning, but Stevens' Sellitti singled through the left side to drive home the winning run leading to EC's 2-1 defeat.
 
Game Two Recap – Stevens Tech 3, Elmira 2 (F/8)
 
The second game was very similar to the first as both pitchers excelled in the circle. The Soaring Eagles outhit the Ducks 11-6, but EC could not capitalize on their scoring opportunities as they left 12 runners on base.
 
The Soaring Eagles had a chance to get on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning after Dore and Puglisi led off with back-to-back singles. EC tried to advance the runners into scoring position, but Cassidy Genco '17 popped out to third base and Dore was thrown out at third base as Katie Day '16 reached on a fielder's choice. Megan Anderson '15 came up to the plate looking to drive across the first run of game two, but she also grounded into a fielder's choice as Puglisi was out at third, thwarting EC's early opportunity.
 
Elmira again had a runner on second base in the top of the second inning, but they could not push across the run as the game remained scoreless. EC may have not had much success in the early goings with runners in scoring position, but with Emilie Rogers '14 controlling the Ducks from the pitcher's circle, it would only be a matter of time.
 
EC finally put a run on the board in the top of the third inning. Dore led off the inning with a walk and then stole second base with Genco at the plate. Genco singled to put runners on first and third as Day stepped up to the bat. Day singled to left field, bringing Dore in to score and giving the Purple and Gold a 1-0 lead.
 
Rogers continued to keep the Ducks guessing at the plate, striking out six of the first 10 batters she faced, but Stevens would get to the senior pitcher in the bottom of the fourth inning. With a runner on first base and two outs, Emily Sellitti took Rogers out of the park to left field, plating two runs and giving Stevens the 2-1 lead. That would be all that the Ducks would get in the inning as Rogers would get her eighth strikeout of the afternoon to end the threat.
 
EC continued to trail by one until the top of the sixth inning. Ashley Palmer'16 led off the inning with a single through the left side and then advanced to second on an error by the catcher. Palmer would come around to score soon after as Bean doubled to center field, tying the game at two.
 
Stevens had a golden opportunity to win in the seventh inning with a runner on third and no outs, but Puglisi came in to relieve Rogers and worked out of the jam. Puglisi struck out the first two batters she saw and then got Danielle DeFeo to ground out to end the inning.
 
Elmira again had runners at first and third with one out in the top of the eighth inning but Bean was gunned out at home after Dore hit a hard ground ball to the shortstop. Puglisi came up with two on and two outs but flew out to center field to close the top half of the inning.
 
Stevens led off the bottom of the frame with a single from Gavriella Risman-Jones and then advanced her to second base after a groundout. The Ducks would walk-off as the next batter, Jessica Rees, hit a double to left field scoring Risman-Jones for the 3-2 win.
 
The Soaring Eagles will make the trip home tonight as they prepare for their second Empire 8 double-header in as many days. EC will host Ithaca College tomorrow, April 12th at Eldridge Park Stadium with the first game scheduled for 1:00 p.m.