The Elmira College softball team hosted SUNY Polytechnic Institute for an Empire 8 doubleheader Saturday afternoon, where the Soaring Eagles won both contests over the Wildcats. 

GAME ONE: Big Third Inning Helps Lift Soaring Eagles
SUNY Poly took a quick lead in the first inning, but the Soaring Eagles responded immediately after Horseheads graduate Kristen Cole singled to left field. 

Cole advanced to second, and Jocelyn Jean's hit to left field brought her home to tie the game.

Two scoreless innings from Shelby Dawe helped set the stage for the Elmira offense to heat up in the third. Jordyn Frantz's infield single was followed by a Cole triple to give the Soaring Eagles a 2-1 lead. Sophia Temple then singled to bring Cole home, and Corning graduate Sophia Polzella doubled down the line, allowing Temple to score and extend EC's lead to 4-1 after three innings.



After a hitless fourth inning from Dawe, Cole stayed hot at the plate with a double to left-center that advanced Frantz to third, but Elmira was unable to bring them home. The Wildcats looked to rally in the fifth, scoring one run to cut the deficit to 4-2.

Following a scoreless sixth inning, SUNY Poly had one last chance to get back in the game. 

They made a strong push, scoring two runs in the final inning, but the Soaring Eagles held on for a 4-3 victory.



GAME TWO: Elmira Puts Up Six Runs to Beat SUNY Poly
After two hitless innings from Savannah Persun, the Elmira offense got to work in the bottom of the second, scoring three runs. Temple singled to left-center and eventually advanced to third on a wild pitch. 

Polzella then stole second after drawing a walk, putting two runners in scoring position. Teona Cruz followed with a hit to right-center that drove both runners in to give EC a 2-0 lead. Cruz later advanced to third and scored on a SUNY Poly error, extending Elmira's lead to three after three innings.



The Wildcats responded with three runs in the next inning to tie the game, but the Soaring Eagles quickly regained the lead. Cole reached base with a hit and was driven in by Polzella. SUNY Poly tied the game again in the fifth, but Elmira answered once more, as Jean's triple helped bring Cole home to restore the lead. Strong pitching down the stretch from Persun secured the doubleheader sweep for the Soaring Eagles over the Wildcats.



LEADERS
Cole was a perfect 4/4 on the day, scoring 4 times. Teona Cruz and Jocelyn Jean each added 2 RBI's apiece. 

Cole leads the team this year with a ..353 average, starting 12 of the 13 games. She has three doubles and a triple. 

Polzella is fourth on the team with a .250 average with a home run, seven RBI and four doubles. 

Corning graduate Kendall Curreri has started all 13 games as shortstop and has five RBI and a triple on the year. 

Horseheads graduate Rachel Lunger has started five games and played in six, with two hits on the year and an RBI. 

Horseheads graduate Emily Huntley has pitched two innings on the year and allowed two runs on the year. 



UP NEXT
The Soaring Eagles will hit the road on Saturday, April 11 for an E8 doubleheader versus St. John Fisher University. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. 

WRITEUP COURTESY OF ELMIRA COLLEGE ATHLETICS

PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES