HORSEHEADS, N.Y. – The Elmira College softball team hosted the Pioneers of Utica University for an Empire 8 doubleheader on Friday afternoon. The Soaring Eagles dropped a pair of close contests, falling by scores of 3–2 and 2–0.

GAME ONE: Soaring Eagles Narrowly Fall in Extra Innings
The Pioneers got off to a strong start, opening the afternoon's scoring on a sacrifice fly to center field. Hannah Colwill responded with one of her own for the Soaring Eagles to level the score in the third inning, sending Sophia Temple home. In the fourth inning, Hanna Burdick stole second to get into scoring position before Kristen Cole doubled to give EC the lead. The Pioneers were able to knot the game at 2–2 in the sixth inning, and after a scoreless seventh, the two sides went to extra innings. The Soaring Eagles could not find an answer after Utica scored in the tenth inning, as they narrowly fell, 3–2.

GAME TWO: Utica Takes Contest, 2–0
After a hitless first inning, the Pioneers took a 1–0 lead in the second inning. Utica doubled their lead in the third, and Jordyn Frantz singled to left field in the bottom of the third for the Soaring Eagles, but EC could not bring her home to get on the board. Following a couple of hitless innings pitched by Savannah Persun, Sophia Temple tried to spark the EC offense, lining a base hit into left field. However, Elmira could not generate any runs, as Utica came out on top with a 2–0 victory.

UP NEXT
The Soaring Eagles will be back at home on Saturday, April 4 as they face the Wildcats of SUNY Poly in an E8 doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1:00 PM.