HORSEHEADS, N.Y. – The Elmira College Softball team was unable to pick up a win over the Empire 8 leading Saxons from Alfred University on Friday evening, falling in both ends of its doubleheader at the Holding Point. After jumping out to a 4-2 lead in the fifth inning of game one, the Saxons would answer with nine runs over the final two innings to earn the win, before holding EC to just a pair of hits in the second game.

On the afternoon, Asia Curkendall '25 would steal her 22nd base of the season, doing so in as many attempts while setting the single-season program mark, one that has been held for nearly 25 seasons by Jamie Bressler, who stole 21 during the 1998 season. 

GAME INFORMATION:
SCORE: Elmira 4, Alfred 11 (G1)
              Elmira 0, Alfred 3 (G2)
TEAM RECORDS: Elmira (14-14, 3-5 Empire 8), Alfred (15-11-1, 7-1 Empire 8)
LOCATION: Elmira, New York | Holding Point Recreation Complex
W|L|S: M. Bennet (W, 4-6) | M. Sobel  (L, 9-6) | J. Cortez (3)
            M. Bennet (W, 5-6) | M. Sobel  (L, 9-7) | None

HOW IT HAPPENED:
GAME ONE:

• Maryann Sobel '25 would get the start for Elmira in game one, tossing a clean first two innings against the Saxons, as Elmira took the early 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the first after an RBI single from Amelia Martin '23.
• The Saxons would answer with solo runs in the third and the fourth innings to take a 2-1 lead against Sobel, on a single and an infield error, respectively.
• In the bottom of the fifth, Elmira would answer with three runs of its own to take a two-run advantage, as Saxon's starting pitcher Arden Hatch was lifted from the game following 4.2 innings of work despite 11 strikeouts. In the frame, Martin would hit a two-run home run against Hatch, while Arian Wilcox '25 was also credited with an RBI following a walk with the bases loaded. 
• Sobel would come on to pitch the sixth, and was unable to work an out on seven batters as the Saxons went on to score seven runs in the inning. Sobel's final line would be 5.0 innings pitched, allowing nine runs (six earned) on seven hits, while walking two and striking out one. Jillian Cortez '23 would come on in relief, allowing two runs (both earned) on three hits over the final two innings of work as the Saxons went on to take game one, 11-4. 
• Elmira was held to just four hits in the contest, as Martin posted a pair, followed by one each from Katie Distefano '24 and Wilcox

GAME TWO:

• Sobel would get the start again in game two, as the Saxons were quick to score what would go down as the game-winning run in the first after Jessica Remm doubled home Ashley Lugo. Sobel would end up going 2.0 innings, allowing one run (earned) on two hits, while striking out one. 
• Madison Lodowski '26 would come on in relief of Sobel, allowing just two runs in the third inning as she went on to toss 4.2 innings of work where she allowed seven hits. The Saxons would score its final two runs on RBI hits from Lugo and Remm. 
• The Soaring Eagle posted its first hit of the day in the fourth inning after Martin doubled. Cortez would earn the other hit for Elmira in the contest on a single. 
• Cortez would toss the final 0.1 inning for Elmira where she got her lone batter to fly out. 

UP NEXT:
Elmira will return to the field tomorrow afternoon when heading to Rochester, New York to take on the Golden Flyers from Nazareth College. First pitch is set for 12:00 PM in the Empire 8 Doubleheader.