ALBANY, N.Y. – The Elmira College softball team traveled to Russell Sage College for an Empire 8 doubleheader against the Gators. The Soaring Eagles dropped both contests by scores of 4–1 and 8–5.

GAME ONE: Sage Holds Onto Early Lead
Sophia Polzella singled to start the game and then stole second, but the Soaring Eagles were unable to drive her home. Russell Sage took a 1–0 lead in the bottom of the first before adding another run in the second. Ashlyn VanFleet scored Elmira's first run of the game on a Sage error, cutting the deficit to one after three innings. Following a scoreless fourth inning, the Gators added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth to extend their lead to 4–1. The Soaring Eagles attempted to rally over the final two innings but could not generate enough offense, ultimately dropping game one.

GAME TWO: Elmira Leads Early, Gators Rally
The Elmira offense started hot, as Sophia Temple's double advanced Jocelyn Jean to third. Teona Cruz then singled to drive in two runs for the Soaring Eagles. After Kendall Curreri entered as a pinch runner, Kristen Cole's triple brought her home, giving Elmira a 3–0 lead after one inning. The Gators scored twice in the second to pull within one, and strong pitching from Shelby Dawe, along with the Sage pitcher, kept both teams scoreless in the third and fourth innings. In the top of the fifth, a double by Jean helped Hannah Colwill score. Russell Sage responded in the bottom of the inning, scoring four runs to take a 6–4 lead. They added two more runs in the sixth to extend their advantage to four. Jordyn Frantz scored in the seventh for the Soaring Eagles, but Elmira could not overcome the deficit, falling 8–5.

LEADERS
Jocelyn Jean, Shelby Dawe, and Jenna Burns each recorded two hits. Teona Cruz recorded two RBI's, with Kristen Cole and Jean also adding one each. 

UP NEXT
The Soaring Eagles will be back at home on Tuesday, April 21 as they face Keuka College in a conference doubleheader at Holding Point. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM.