GENESEO, N.Y. - The SUNY Geneseo softball team couldn't pull out a win in their opening round of the Empire 8 tournament on Thursday afternoon, falling to Utica, 9-7. The Knights postseason hopes remain alive in the double elimination tournament, with a quick turnaround to take on St. John Fisher tomorrow at 9 a.m.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Knights got on the board first, with Tara Brochu drawing a two-out bases loaded walk, then Gabriella Smith driving in two more runs with an RBI single. Before Utica could record its third out, Smith got in a rundown between first and second base, allowing Brochu to steal home on the play, putting the Knights ahead 4-0.
• The Pioneers were able to put together a rally of their own in the third inning, and went on to tie the score at 4-4. Geneseo took the lead in the fourth inning after a lead-off single by Gabriella Petroski eventually led to a run scored as the Knights took advantage of an error.
• Utica was able take its first lead of the game behind a four-run fifth inning, and Geneseo entered the bottom of the seventh trailing 9-5. Brochu was able to drive in Molly Griffin and Hannah Olejniczak with a single, but the Knights couldn't keep the rally going and fell 9-7.

QUICK FACTS:

• Kaitlyn Schmitz and Petroski both recorded two hits in the game, while Brochu and Smith combined for five RBIs.
• Petroski got the start on the rubber for Geneseo, while Schmitz threw 2.1 innings of relief allowing just one earned run.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Geneseo will face top seed and host, St. John Fisher tomorrow at 9 a.m.