UTICA, N.Y. -- Houghton softball fell to Utica, 10-1 and 5-4, in a doubleheader Saturday on the road.

The Pioneers jumped out to a 2-0 first inning lead and added four runs apiece in the second and fourth innings. Houghton was able to score its lone run in the top of the fifth on a Sarah McArthur RBI double that drove in Angelina Tantillo.

Kareena Ulfig picked up the loss on the mound, allowing 10 runs on 14 hits over 3.2 innings. Abigail Pitts recorded the final out for the Highlanders.

Game two was a more competitive but heartbreaking performance for the Highlanders. Houghton scored twice in the first inning to take an early lead. McArthur drove in a run on a SAC fly before Ulfig singled in Danielle Nelson. The lead grew to 4-0 for the visitors off an Olivia Carr two-run homer in the third inning.

However, the Pioneers scored solo runs in the third and fourth innings to pull within 4-3, and then escaped with the win by scoring three times in the bottom of the sixth. Houghton was unable to mount a comeback, going down 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh.

Ulfig finished 2-for-2 with a run and an RBI to lead the offense.

On the mound, Pitts went 2.2 innings, allowing one run on one hit and six walks. Carr came on for 3.1 innings of relief, allowing four runs on seven hits.

Houghton returns to action at home vs. Alfred on Tuesday, April 22 at 3 and 5 p.m.