Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ITHACA, N.Y. - - The Ithaca College softball team split a home doubleheader with Alfred Thursday evening, winning the first game by a score of 3-2 before falling in game two, 3-1. ­­The split pushes the Bombers' overall record to 19-9, with a record of 8-4 in the Empire 8. Alfred moves to 19-9 overall, including a record of 5-3 in the conference. Ithaca's conference win earned the Bombers a berth in the Empire 8 Playoffs. Home seeding will be determined after all remaining E8 teams finish their respective conference schedules.

Game 1: Ithaca 3, Alfred 2
Sam Bender picked up the win in game one, improving her record to 12-3 on the season. Bender struck out four and allowed just five hits in the complete game effort. Junior Monica Capolongo led Ithaca offensively, going 1-for-1 with a single and two RBI. Sophomore Casey Gavin also recorded a single, going 1-for-2 with a RBI.

The Bombers scored all the runs they would need in the bottom of the first, crossing home plate three times on three hits to take the early 3-0 lead. With runners at the corners, sophomore Kelly Robichaud was hit by a pitch to load the bases. In the following at bat, Gavin hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score the first run of the inning. A wild pitch would move runners to second and third, before Capolongo hit a single into right field to score two more runs.  

The Saxons chipped away at the Bomber lead with a run in the top of the second, putting the score at 3-1 in favor of Ithaca. Alfred scored another run in the third, pulling to within one of the Bombers. Bender took care of business from that point on, holding the Saxons scoreless in the remaining innings to give the Bombers a 3-2 game one win.

Game 2: Ithaca 1, Alfred 3
Sophomore Laura Quicker was credited with the loss in game two. She struck out three and allowed three earned runs 7.0 innings of play. Robichaud, Gavin, Capolongo and senior Sydney Folk each accounted for a hit.

Alfred jumped ahead in the top of the second, scoring one run on two hits to take a 1-0 lead. The Saxons added to their lead with one run on three hits in the fourth to go up, 2-0.

Ithaca got on the board in the bottom of the sixth, scoring one run on two hits. With freshman Gabbie Litz on first and two outs, Robichaud singled to right field. A throwing error in the Saxon outfield allowed Litz to score from first and Robichaud to advance to third on the play.

Alfred added an insurance run in the top of the seventh, giving the Saxons a 3-1 lead in the final inning. The Bombers were unable to score in the bottom of the frame, giving the Saxons a 3-1 win in the second game of the doubleheader.

Ithaca is back in action on Sunday, April 27 in a home doubleheader against Rochester. The Bombers will honor their seniors prior to game one. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.