HORSEHEADS, N.Y. – The Elmira College Softball team split its conference-opening doubleheader against the visiting Gators from Russell Sage College on Friday afternoon, taking game one in comeback fashion 10-9 before dropping game two, 7-5. Elmira, who found themselves down to its final out in game one, saw a two-run home run from Katie Distefano '24 to send the game into extras before scoring two in the bottom half of the eighth, started off by Arian Wilcox '25 who tripled home the game-tying run with one out. Kaitlyn Belmont '24 would then record a two-out RBI single, scoring Wilcox to seal the victory for EC in game one. 

In all, the Soaring Eagles would hit four home runs on the afternoon, led by Amelia Martin with a pair. Belmont would lead the way, going 6-for-9 at the plate on the afternoon, driving in a pair, while Martin & Wilcox each drove in four runs a piece, with Wilcox finishing a double shy of the cycle in game one.

GAME INFORMATION:
SCORE: Elmira 10, Sage 9 (G1; F/8)
                  Sage 7, Elmira 5 (G2)
TEAM RECORDS: Elmira (8-10, 1-1 Empire 8), Sage (7-11, 1-1 Empire 8)
LOCATION: Horseheads, New York | Holding Point Recreation Complex
W|L|S: M. Sobel (W, 5-4) | T. DiCranian (L, 2-7) | None (G1)
              T. DiCranian (W, 3-7) | M. Lodowski (L, 1-5) | None (G2)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

GAME ONE

• After a clean first three innings on the defensive side for both teams, Sage would break the scoreboard first, tallying six runs between the fourth and fifth innings to jump out to a 6-0 lead against Elmira starting pitcher Maryann Sobel '25. 
  Elmira would put a pair on in the bottom of the fifth after Bella DeAmelia '24 and Hannah Flagg '24 reached, with DeAmelia eventually scoring on a sacrifice fly from Asia Curkendall '25 to give Elmira its first run of the contest
  The Gators would extend its lead to 7-1 in the sixth after a single, stolen base, and a pair of groundouts brought home a run.
  Elmira would turn the tides in the bottom of the sixth inning, plating five runs on four hits. After Madison Brown-Bloom tripled to begin the inning, Martin would bring her home and trim the EC deficit to just four after a two-run home run to left centerfield. 
  After consecutive outs, Elmira would use two-out magic as DeAmelia singled and Flagg walked, which allowed an opportunity for Wilcox who took advantage, launching Elmira's second home run of the inning which plated three and trimmed the Sage lead to 7-6.
  After Sage added an insurance run in the seventh, Elmira found themselves down two and down to its last out. After a pair of fielder's choices, Distefano would launch a two-run home run to centerfield, as Elmira tied the game at 8-8. 
  Sage would tack on another run in the top of the eighth, but it would take the Purple & Gold just five batters to seal the win as a DeAmelia single, Wilcox triple, and Belmont game-winning single gave Elmira its first win in conference play in as many attempts. 
  Sobel would finish her day going the distance, allowing nine runs (six earned) on 14 hits, while walking two and striking out a pair. 
  For Wilcox, the home run marked the second of her career, the fourth of Distefano's career, and the third this season for Martin. 

GAME TWO:

• Sage would plate three in the top of the first against Elmira starting pitcher Madison Lodowski '26, using two hits, a walk, and a hit by pitch to take the early advantage. 
  The Soaring Eagles would tack one on the board in the bottom of the inning, as Martin singled home Curkendall with two outs to give Elmira its first run of game two. 
  After a clean second inning from both sides, Elmira would score its second of the game after Wilcox doubled and moved to third on a groundout, followed up by an RBI single from Belmont. 
  Elmira would tie the game in the fourth after three consecutive hits from Flagg (double), Wilcox, and Curkendall (both singles), brought home Flagg to knot the contest at 3-3. 
  In the fifth, Elmira would score a run in its third consecutive inning, this time taking the lead after Martin homered to lead off the frame for her second of the doubleheader. 
  Leading 4-3, Elmira would be tabbed for four runs in the top of the sixth as the Gators used four hits to lift Lodowski from the game. Lodowski would go 5.1 innings, allowing seven runs (all earned) on eight hits, while walking three and striking out one. Jill Cortez '23 would come on in relief, allowing just one hit over 1.2 innings. 
  After going scoreless in the sixth, Elmira would plate one in the seventh to make it 7-5 and ultimately leave the bases loaded as Sage went on to salvage game two. 

UP NEXT:
Elmira will return to the field tomorrow as they host the Pioneers from Utica University for its second Empire 8 matchup of the season. First pitch at the Holding Point Recreation Complex is set for 1:00 PM.