Game 1 | Game 2
Updated stats
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Host Nazareth combined three solo home runs with the three-hit pitching of right-hander Kelly Kocher Saturday to gain an Empire 8 Conference softball split of a doubleheader with Utica College. The Golden Flyers won the first game, 4-0, but Utica came back to take the second game, 5-1.

Nazareth's record is now 12-12 overall and 4-4 in Empire 8 Conference games. Utica is 10-18 and 2-6.

Kocher picked up her 10th win of the season and seventh by shutout as she limited the Pioneers to just three singles in the first game while striking out 16. Nazareth took an early 2-0 lead as senior Polly Muehlenkamp and sophomore Brittany Patenaude each socked solo home runs. Muehlenkamp drilled a shot over the center-field fence, while Patenaude pulled a pitch over the fence in left-center field.

Nazareth added another run in the fourth inning on a run-scoring single by Katie Valerio, then freshman Kaitlin Graham launched a solo home run to left field in the fifth inning for Nazareth's fourth run.

The second game was scoreless until the bottom of the third when Utica reached Nazareth starter Casey Mathers for three runs. Kim Martin had a run-scoring single and a single by Jackie Gallagher plated two more runs.

Valerio scored Nazareth's only run in the fifth inning following a lead-off walk, the Utica scored two more run in the bottom half of the inning on a two-run triple by Bridgette Plummer.

Nazareth plays two more games Sunday at home against Ithaca, starting at 1 p.m.