BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Elmira College Softball team split its Saturday afternoon doubleheader against Empire 8 newcomer, Medaille University at the Medaille Sports Complex. After the Soaring Eagles scored four unanswered runs to take the first game 4-2, the Mavericks would put together three first inning runs in game two which would prove to be the difference in their 3-1 win. 

Jill Cortez '23 would finish 4-for-7 with three RBI on the day, along with pitching 4.2 innings of relief and one-hit ball in game two for the Soaring Eagles. In the win, Maryann Sobel '25 would allow a pair of first inning runs before pitching 6.2 innings of scoreless ball the remainder of the way to pick up her sixth win of the season.

GAME INFORMATION:
SCORE: Elmira 4, Medaille 2 (G1)
                  Medaille 3, Elmira 1 (G2)
TEAM RECORDS: Elmira (10-12, 3-3 Empire 8), Medaille (12-12, 3-3 Empire 8)
LOCATION: Buffalo, New York | Medaille Sports Complex
W|L|S: M. Sobel (W, 6-5) | O. Carr (L, 3-4) | None (G1)
            B. Komarnisky (W, 6-3) | M. Lodowski (L, 2-6) | None (G1)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

GAME ONE:

• The Mavericks would waste little time getting a pair of runs on the board against Elmira starting pitcher Maryann Sobel '25, using four hits in the frame and an error by Sobel to jump ahead 2-0. After the leadoff batter was retired, the Mavs would record four consecutive hits to score a pair of runs. After reloading the bases, Sobel would retire the next two batters to limit any additional offense for Medaille. 
• Following the first 0.1 of an inning for Sobel, she would allow just three hits over the remaining 6.2 innings, with no additional runs.
• Elmira would answer back in the top of the second, also using four hits in the frame to tie the game at 2-2 against Maverick starting pitcher Olivia Carr. After Madison Brown-Bloom '23 and Katie Distefano '24 singled to begin the inning, Jill Cortez '23 would single to centerfield to score Brown-Bloom before Bella DeAmelia '24 doubled home Distefano to tie the ballgame. 
• It would be quiet third and fourth innings on the offensive end for both squads before the Soaring Eagles broke the tie, scoring two in the fifth which would prove to be the difference. 
• After Kaitlyn Belmont '24 singled to open the inning, the Soaring Eagles would put a runner on from a Maverick error between a pair of outs before working a two-out rally in which Cortez singled home her second and third RBIs of the contest to put EC ahead 4-2.
• From there, the Mavericks would be held to just one hit over the final 3.0 innings of the game, as Sobel finished her afternoon going 7.0 innings, allowing two runs (both earned), on seven hits, while walking one and striking out four. 
   

• Madison Lodowski '26 would get the nod for the Soaring Eagles in game two on the mound and was tabbed for three early runs as the Mavericks sent eight batters to the plate. The home team would score all three of its runs on extra base hits, as a two-RBI triple from Abbigail Doherty and an RBI double from Shay Sommer gave the Mavs the early advantage. 
• Lodowski's afternoon would come to a close after 1.1 innings of work where she allowed three runs (all earned) on four hits, while walking one and striking out one. Cortez would come on in relief for the Soaring Eagles. 
• The Soaring Eagles would be no-hit through 3.0 innings by Mavericks starting pitcher Breena Komarnisky before Amelia Martin '23 recorded the first Purple & Gold hit of the game in the fourth. 
• EC would get its first run of the game in the top of the sixth as Belmont walked with a pair of outs and scored a batter later as Martin doubled to left centerfield, scoring Belmont to trim the EC deficit to 3-1. For Martin, it was her second hit of the contest to lead EC in the offensive category. 
• Following a clean sixth inning from Cortez, her day in the circle would come to a close where she went 4.2 innings, allowing no runs on just one hit, while striking out one Maverick. 
• The Soaring Eagles would threaten in the seventh, using a pair of singles from Distefano and Cortez to open the inning. With two outs, Sobel would single to load the bases before the Mavericks worked out of a late jam to secure the 3-1 victory, splitting the series. 

UP NEXT:
Elmira will return to the field on Monday when jumping back into non-conference play against the Broncos from SUNY Delhi, on the road. First pitch between the teams is set for 3:00 PM in game one.