Score: Elmira College 2, SUNY Canton 0
Score: SUNY Canton 1, Elmira College 0
Records: Elmira (8-15), SUNY Canton (8-10)
Location: Eldridge Park -- Elmira, N.Y.

ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College softball team and non-conference foe SUNY Canton split a pair of pitchers' duels on Tuesday afternoon at Eldridge Park, with the Soaring Eagles winning the opener, 2-0, and the Kangaroos claiming a 1-0 triumph in the nightcap.

While the Soaring Eagles were unable to earn both wins, starting pitchers McKenzie Slaven '20 and Katie McDougal '18 both recorded excellent outings. Not only did the duo combine to allow just one run in the late game, but both displayed great resolve as they worked through a handful of stressful moments with runners on base. 

The same can be said about SUNY Canton pitcher Nicole Woodward. The left-handed sophomore threw every pitch for the 'Roos Tuesday afternoon, scattering two runs on 13 hits, two walks and 10 strikeouts across 13.0 total innings.

Game One
In the opening game, Slaven tossed a gem to lead the Soaring Eagles to a 2-0 victory. The first-year pitcher escaped an early jam in the first inning and notched her second complete-game shutout, as she allowed just three hits and one walk across seven innings.

In the first inning, the 'Roos pieced together back-to-back two-out hits, and Desiree Pryce was plunked with an 0-2 pitch to load the bases. However, Slaven fanned Stefanie Miller on three pitches to end the inning. The Horseheads, New York, native faced just two over the minimum for through her final six innings to complete the scoreless outing.

In the top of the seventh, the local standout retired the side in order with three straight punch outs, bringing her total to a season-high-tying eight.

EC's only runs of the contest were tallied in the third inning. Samantha Jenkins '20, Maddy Johnson '19, and Rachel Katzenberger '19 led off the frame with three straight singles to load the bases. Although Jenkins was eliminated at home on a fielder's choice play, Emily Clark '19 deposited a single into left field that allowed both Johnson and Katzenberger to reach home safely.

Game Two
The Soaring Eagles were limited to a mere four hits in the late game with Woodward showing no sign of fatigue. In the bottom of the sixth inning with the score still tied at 0-0, the Purple and Gold looked to produce some two-out magic. Slaven and Sarah Garner '20 both singled to put runners on the corners, but Clark grounded out to strand the runners on base.

SUNY Canton tallied the lone run of the contest in the top of the seventh. Brittany Miner singled, advanced to second on a grounder and scored on a well-placed double off the bat of Courtney Hyland. Hyland pulled a 1-0 pitch down the left-field line, and the ball landed fair by a matter of inches, giving Miner more than enough time to trot home.

Looking for a late rally, Amber Wallach '19 patiently worked out a full-count walk to begin the bottom of the seventh. Olivia Harnois '19, representing the tying run, pinch ran for Wallach and moved up to second on a sacrifice. When Sam Chadbourne '19 flew out to right field, Harnois tagged up and beat the throw to third. Alas, Harnois was unable to force extra innings, as Jenkins was thrown out at first base by a step after hitting a ground ball to the hole on the left side of the infield.

In Their Own Words...
Head Coach Rhonda Faunce on Elmira's strong pitching and defensive performance against SUNY Canton...
"I think we have finally settled down. It took us three or four weeks, but we're playing pretty good ball right now."

Coach Faunce when asked about McKenzie Slaven's excellent start in the 2-0 win...
"She, I think, is just starting to get into a groove. If we had another three or four weeks, she'd continue to do really well. She's solid, and then we started in the last three or four games putting her at short when she wasn't pitching. That's made a huge difference in our defense."

Coach Faunce on ending the 2018 season on the road tomorrow vs. SUNY Delhi...
"It's nice to end with an away trip because there is that bonding on the bus, definitely a little more closure that way. It should be a good way to end."

News and Notes

• Elmira improved to 8-15 overall and 7-10 at home this season.
• Tuesday's games mark the two lowest-scoring contests that the Soaring Eagles have played this spring.
• The shutout win in the early game is Elmira's third such victory in 2018.
• Clark increased her team lead in RBIs to 20 after plating two in the win.
• Clark also paces the Soaring Eagles with seven multiple RBI games as a junior.
• Slaven improved to 5-6 following her win.
• Slaven tied a season-high with eight strikeouts and now has 52 this season.

Up Next
Elmira has added another doubleheader to its schedule for Wednesday, May 2. The Soaring Eagles will travel to SUNY Delhi for a twin bill against the Broncos at 3:00 p.m.