ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College softball team wraps up its 2017 Empire 8 Conference schedule, and action at Eldridge Park Stadium, with a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader against Houghton College in EC's home finale this afternoon.

LAST TIME OUT: The Soaring Eagles split an Empire 8 Conference doubleheader against Stevens Institute of Technology on Sunday, stumbling in the first game, 5-0, before taking the second game by a 4-3 final score. In the opening game, the Purple and Gold were unable to generate offense against the Ducks' starter Christine LaRochelle, as they were shut out for the fifth time this season. Elmira finished the contest with just three hits and five total base runners. On the other side of the field, Stevens generated four runs on eight base hits to take the conference bout. In the second contest, EC was guided to a victory by a noteworthy performance from Emily Carlin '17. The Riverside, California, native posted all four of Elmira's RBIs in the game. Carlin's two-run RBI single in the bottom of the fifth inning gave the Soaring Eagles the decisive 4-3 advantage. Carlin also did well in the pitcher's circle, as she tossed 3.1 scoreless innings of relief to earn the victory.
 
CARLIN IMPRESSES ON SENIOR DAY: Saturday's bout against the Ducks represented the Class of 2017 Recognition Day for Elmira. Before the start of game two, both Carlin and Chelsea Storch '17 were recognized for all of their hard work and dedication that they devoted in the past four years. This recognition helped fuel Carlin, as she posted her best game of the season in the nightcap. The utility player did a little bit of everything, as she recorded a career-high four RBIs in the game and was credited as the winning pitcher.
 
SCOUTING HOUGHTON: The Highlanders are coming off of a doubleheader sweep of Hilbert College last time out, which snapped a four-game losing streak and improved Houghton's 2017 record to 10-22. Houghton is 1-11 in the E8, however, the Highlanders' 10 victories set a new program record this year.  The team is batting .256 on the season, a mark that ranks seventh in the Empire 8, and has a 5.55 ERA. Kaylee Jentsch has touted the most consistent bat this season with a .351 batting average, a .500 slugging percentage and a .455 on-base percentage, all of which lead the Highlanders this season. She has gone 33-for-94 at the dish, which includes 11 extra-base hits, nine of which have been doubles. Her 19 RBIs are third on the team behind Taylor Sile and Jenny Young, who head into today's game with 23 and 20, respectively. Not only has Jentsch been a solid contributor on offense, she is also Houghton's go-to option in the pitcher's circle. The sophomore talent owns a team leading 3.67 ERA in 84.0 innings pitched.
 
SERIES HISTORY: Elmira and Houghton have met 13 times in their respective histories. The Soaring Eagles lead the all-time series, 11-2, which includes a doubleheader sweep of the Highlanders in Houghton, New York, last season. Houghton's most recent victory came in the second-leg of a doubleheader at Eldridge Park in 2015 by a 5-4 final score.
 
LOOKING AHEAD: Elmira will conclude its season the following day on Thursday, April 27, with a road doubleheader against Lycoming College. The non-conference twin bill is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.