Utica, NY – Sage's softball team travelled to Utica College for an Empire 8 doubleheader with the Pioneers on Saturday. Utica collected the sweep, beating Sage 18-4 in the first game and 7-0 in the second game. Utica stands at 18-14 overall with a 10-2 mark in the Empire 8. Sage drops to 9-14 overall and 3-9 in the conference.
Game # 1 Utica 18-4 Sage
Utica had back to back strong innings as they scored eight runs in the bottom of the first and the second to break open the game. The Pioneers had 16 hits including seven extra-base hits in the game to earn the 18-4 victory in five innings.
Sage's sophomore Destiny Wierzbicki (Albany, NY/Troy) had two RBIs in the game, while senior Amy Hart (St. Johnsville, NY/Little Falls) drove in a run as well for the Gators and was 1-1 at the plate.
For the Gators, rookie Katerina Lagace (Newington, CT/Newington) took the loss dropping to 3-6 on the year after allowing17 earned runs with four walks and a strikeout in four innings of work.
Game # 2 Utica 7-0 Sage
Utica picked up a 7-0 shutout win in the second game as they held Sage to five hits. Sophomore Kristen Silk (Freehold, NY/Greenville) was 2/3 with a double, while her older sister senior Alexa Silk (Freehold, NY/Greenville) was 1/3.
Senior pitcher Amy Hart suffered the loss after allowing seven earned runs off 10 hits with six walks and a pair of strikeouts. She drops to 6-8 on the season.
After Saturday games, a number of Sage's veteran performers are continuing their assault on the program's career records. Alexa Silk now has 183 career hits, putting her third, while graduate performer Katy Rimawi (Ballston Spa, NY/Ballston Spa) has 146 career hits and is sixth. Silk has 440 career at bats and is fourth, while Rimawi has 430 at bats and is right behind her in fifth. Rimawi has 38 career doubles and is third, just seven away from the career record of 44 doubles set by Hillary Faas. Silk is closing in on the all-time career stolen base record currently held by Kristen Beikirch (65) as she has 64 career stolen bases in her four seasons at Sage.
Hart is currently 12th in career appearances with 43, while standing 11th in 237 career innings pitched. She boasts 31 career complete games (8th) and has 221 career strikeouts and is closing in on the No. 2 spot currently co-held by Lindsay Brace and Katie Kovage with 222.
Sage is back in action on Sunday, April 29 at 1 and 3 p.m. in an Empire 8 doubleheader at Nazareth College to close out play in the Empire 8 regular-season.