Fourth Straight Split for Lady Pioneers

The Alfred State softball team split their fourth straight doubleheader on a chilly Tuesday afternoon vs. Houghton. The Pioneers took the opener 5-4 in eight innings while the Highlanders took game two 8-4.

In the opener, the Lady Pioneers scored two runs in the bottom of the 8th to earn the victory. Trailing 4-3 heading into the first extra frame, Claire Hartman (Alden) doubled home Lura O'Keefe (Allegany Limestone) to tie it. She then scored two batters later when she slid in ahead of the tag after a grounder to second by Stormi Kruger (Medina).

The Pioneers grabbed an early lead in the 1st when Rebecca Hanrahan (Greene) collected a RBI single. The Highlanders took the lead with three runs in the 4th taking advantage of two hits and two Lady Pioneer errors.

Allison Gibson (Arkport) tied the game up in the bottom of the 6th when she delivered a two-out single to tie the game up. In the top of the 8th, Gabrielle Brewster collected a two-out to put the Highlanders up 4-3.

Kruger was the lone Pioneer with multiple hits finishing 2 for 4 with a RBI. Taylor McCarthy (Watkins Glen) earned the win with five innings of relief. She allowed seven hits and just one earned run.

In the nightcap, Alfred State led 2-0 and was looking for more when Bailey Shattell robbed Kruger of and extra base hit with a diving catch in center field. The Highlanders took the momentum and scored five runs in the 4th to gain a lead they wouldn't surrender. The Pioneers cut it to 5-4 but Houghton scored two in the 6th and one more insurance run in the 7th.

Katie Jackson (Troy, PA) and O'Keefe were each 2 for 4 for the Lady Pioneers.

Five different Highalnders collected two hits with Sarah Beirne leading the way with a 2 for 3, 2 RBI day. Morgan York came out of the bullpen and tossed the final four innings to earn the victory.

The Pioneers head to Nazareth on Thursday for a 3 p.m. doubleheader with the Golden Flyers.