Game 1l Game 2 l Updated stats
UTICA, NY -- Visiting Nazareth was swept by Utica in an Empire 8 doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers defeated the Golden Flyers 10-1 in game one and 6-2 in game two. In game one, Nazareth received a second-inning solo home run from sophomore Sophia Rhoades in the Golden Flyers first game of an Empire 8 doubleheader against Utica. In the second game, Nazareth claimed an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning before the Pioneers scored three runs between the fourth and fifth innings.

With the losses, the Golden Flyers fall to 5-13 overall and 3-5 in conference games. Nazareth's three-game winning streak was halted with the losses. Utica improves to 16-8 overall and 3-3 in Empire 8 games with the victory.

In game one, Utica's Chelsea Monroe opened the scoring with a lead-off homer in the bottom of the first inning to give the Pioneers the early lead. Rhoades answered in the top of the second inning with a one-out, solo home run to right field to temporarily tie the score, 1-1.

Utica broke the game open in the bottom of the second inning with its seven runs. The Pionners had five hits in the inning and took advantage of two errors, a wild pitch, and a passed ball. Bridgette Plummer added a two-out, two-run home run to extend Utica's lead. Plummer also hit a home run to right field in the third inning. Plummer's two homers during game one gives her four home runs on the season.

Abby Monroe finished with eight strikeouts and allowed the Golden Flyers only three hits to earn the victory. In addition to Rhoades' homer, freshman Maureen Rogers and junior Sarah Cipperly also reached base for Nazareth.

Freshman Carly Pike started game one and recorded one strikeout and allowed five earned runs in three innings. Sophomore Nicole Bayona pitched the fourth inning and allowed one run on two hits.

In game two, the Golden Flyers scored in the top of the first inning to take an early lead. Freshman Cydney Luke opened the game with a lead-off single to right center, and she advanced to second on a passed ball. With two-outs, Cipperly singled to right field to score Luke.

After Utica took the lead in the fourth inning with two runs and added a third run in the fifth inning, Cipperly hit a two-out homer to trim the Pionners' lead to 3-2. Pike followed with a single to continue the inning before Rhoades grounded out to shortstop.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Meghan Matan connected on a two-out three-run homer to center field to provide the Pioneers with the 6-2 advantage.

Briona Enny pitched 5 2/3 innings to earn the victory for Utica. Enny allowed two runs on seven hits and recorded four strikeouts. Erica Colucci recorded the final out to secure the Pionners' victory. Freshman Danae Wetherbee was charged with six earned runs in her six innings of action in the loss.

Nazareth plays another Empire 8 doubleheader on Sunday when the Golden Flyers travel to Ithaca to take on the Bombers. The Golden Flyers return to Nazareth on April 16th for a non-conference doubleheader against Rochester.