Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College softball team split a home doubleheader with Utica Saturday afternoon. The Bombers won the first game, 7-3, before falling to the Pioneers by a score of 9-6 in game two at Kostrinsky Field. The Bombers are now 14-6 on the year, including a record of 3-1 in the Empire 8. Utica is now 12-5 overall with a conference mark of 1-1.

Game 1: Ithaca – 7, Utica – 3
Senior Sam Bender improved her record to 8-2 with the game one victory. She recorded two strikeouts and allowed just three earned runs in 5.0 innings. Sophomore Laura Quicker pitched in relief, holding the Pioneers to zero hits in the final 2.0 innings. Sophomore Casey Gavin was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, also scoring two runs and picking up a RBI. Senior Sydney Folk paced Ithaca with two RBI, going 2-for-4 with two doubles.

The Bombers scored all the runs they would need in the bottom of the first, scoring four runs on four hits in the frame. With runners at second and third base, Folk hit her first double of the contest to bring home two Ithaca runs. A single from Gavin in the following at bat moved Folk to third, allowing for a double steal attempt. Gavin moved to second to draw attention away from Folk, allowing her to steal home on the play for a 3-0 lead. The Bombers would score another run in the frame to push their lead to 4-0.

Utica finally got on the board with a run on one hit in the top of the third, cutting Ithaca's lead to 4-1. The Bombers responded with more offense in the bottom of the inning. With the bases loaded, sophomore Erin McQuillan was hit by a pitch, bringing home another Bomber run. With one out and the bases still loaded, junior Francesca Busa grounded out to third to score the runner at third for a 6-1 Ithaca lead.

The Bombers scored one more run in the bottom of the fourth, giving Ithaca the commanding 7-1 advantage. Utica did put up two more runs in the fifth, but it wouldn't be enough as the Bombers came away with the 7-3 game one win.

Game 2: Ithaca – 6, Utica – 9
Quicker started the second game of the doubleheader for Ithaca. She allowed two earned runs and struck out one in the loss. Sophomore Allison Macari also saw action, as she recorded one strikeout and allowed just one earned run in the final 3.1 innings of play. Sophomore Kelly Robichaud went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run. Folk paced Ithaca with two hits, including a double and a RBI.

Just like the previous game, the Bombers jumped out to the early 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. With runners on the corners, freshman Jessie Fleck stole second base, allowing senior Julianne Vincent to score from third on the throw. After a walk in the following at bat, Robichaud crushed her first home run of the season to score three more Bomber runs.

After two scoreless innings, Utica rallied to take the lead in the top of the fourth. The Pioneers scored seven runs on five hits in the frame, highlighted by a bases loaded home run to take the 7-4 lead.

Ithaca clawed back to within one run in the fifth inning, as the Bombers scored two runs on two hits to make it 7-6 in favor of the Pioneers.

Utica went on to score two insurance runs in the remaining innings, pushing the Pioneers' lead to 9-6. Despite the rally, Ithaca was unable to score again in the contest, giving Utica the game two victory.

The Bombers are back in action on Sunday, April 13 in a road doubleheader against Elmira. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.