PLATTSBURGH/POTSDAM — The New Paltz women’s softball team closed out their season this past weekend with two losses each to Plattsburgh and Potsdam. The Hawks lost Friday to the Cardinals 7-3 and 13- 0 and lost to the Bears 7-6 and 9-7. The losses give New Paltz a 1-33 overall record and an 0-20 record in the SUNYAC conference.
In game one on Friday, Plattsburgh jumped on the Hawks early as they took a 3-0 lead after three innings of play. New Paltz got three of their own in the top half of the 4th inning to tie the score. Katie Monahan (Port Jefferson Station, NY) got the inning started with a double to centerfield. After Jen Born (Walroth, NY) bunted Monahan to third base, Jen Varrone (New Paltz, NY) singled her in for the first run of the inning. Lisa Mason (Camillus, NY) kept the rally alive with a single, and Tricia Cascio (Farmingville, NY) singled in Varrone and Mason to get things even. Plattsburgh pitcher Missy Darrah blanked the Hawks after the 4th though, shutting out New Paltz in the final three innings. Kristin Ackerman (Middletown, NY) pitched well for the Hawks in the loss giving up seven runs on twelve hits in the 7-3 loss.
In game two, pitcher Tracy Mitchell shut down the Hawks’ bats, allowing just three all game. The Cardinals scored nine runs in the last two innings to put the game out of reach 13-0. Liz Hock (Latham, NY) went 2-for-2 in the game with two singles to lead New Paltz. Jen Varrone took the loss going 5 and 2/3 surrendering fifteen hits and striking out four batters.
On Saturday, New Paltz lost two tight games to Potsdam. In game one, trailing 4-0, the Hawks came alive in the 3rd as Tricia Cascio belted a 2-RBI double, and Liz Hock delivered an RBI-single to bring New Paltz back to a 4-3 deficit. Down 7-3 in the 6th, the Hawks capitalized on a few Bear errors and drew to within one again 7-6. Needing a run in the top of the 7th, the Hawks were retired in order falling one run short. Ackerman pitched all six innings for New Paltz giving up thirteen hits and striking out two.
In game two, the Bears rallied for six runs in the 3rd inning to take a commanding lead. They added another in the 4th to go up 7-0. In the top of the fifth, the Hawks erupted for six runs to close within one. Jessica Schropfer (Glen Oaks, NY), Katie Monahan, and Jen Born each had RBI- singles in the inning. In the 7th, down 9-6, Wendy Del Orbe (Bronx, NY) singled home Liz Hock to pull within two but the Hawks were unable to get another. Kirstene Craig (Stone Ridge, NY) pitched for New Paltz scattering twelve hits and striking out three.
