Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Devon Utterback pitched a two-hitter in game one, but a two-run homer in the top of the seventh did in host West Chester in the nightcap as the Golden Rams split a non-league twinbill with visiting University of Sciences on a frigid Monday afternoon.
West Chester (16-12) took the opener, 3-1, before falling to USP (2-16), 4-3, in the second game. The loss in game two was the first time that the Devils beat the Rams since 1992.
Erin MacNamee hit a two-run single in the second inning, and Jessica Norris followed up with a run-scoring single to account for the only three runs Utterback (9-2) would need. The sophomore hurler took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before a bunt single broke up the bid. Utterback retired 14 straight batters before USP scored its only run of the game with two out in the sixth.
Utterback struck out 11 batters in the complete-game win.
Jessica Schuck and Brianna Rowlands were each 2-for-3 in game one. Schuck hit a pair of doubles her first two times to the plate.
In the nightcap, Courtney Corcoran hit a two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning to give USP the 4-3 triumph. Trailing 3-2 entering the final frame, Gabrielle Adams led off with a double to center field. Corcoran then followed with her first home run of the season.
The Sciences took a 2-0 lead in the first inning off West Chester starter Kim Murl (7-7). However, the hosts tied things up in the third when Megan Kelly hit her third home run of the season with one out and nobody on. It was the freshman’s third homer in her last 10 at bats spanning the Rams’ last six games.
MacNamee then doubled down the left field line and would later score when USP’s shortstop let a ground ball get by her after nearly colliding with MacNamee on a ball hit by Norris.
Murl lasted 6 1/3 innings, allowing all four runs on seven hits and striking out four. She walked one. Utterback got the last two outs of the seventh after relieving Murl.
West Chester travels to Millersville on Wednesday for a PSAC East doubleheader with the Marauders beginning at 2 p.m.
