Fourth Ranked Cortland Sweeps New Paltz

HIGHLAND, NY – — The SUNY New Paltz softball team lost a doubleheader to conference rival Cortland this afternoon. The Red Dragons, who are ranked fourth in this week’s Division III poll, took the first game 18-0 and won the second game 9-0 behind a five-inning perfect game performance by junior Lara Almansberger (Fairport, NY).

Almansberger struck out six of the 15 batters she faced. Cortland (22-4, 8-2) scored all nine of their runs in the first three innings and were keyed by a two-run homer from junior shortstop Julie Gentner (Williamsville, NY) and a three-run homer by junior outfielder Lara Stone (Windsor, NY).

Senior Kristin Ackermann (Middletown, NY) started for New Paltz and took the loss to drop to 0-5 on the year. Ackermann went the distance and allowed four walks and struck out one.

In the first game, Cortland pushed home six runs in each of the first two innings. Freshman outfielder Jennifer Rockwell (Scotia, NY) scored three runs and went 2-for-2 with a run batted in. Freshman pitcher Stephanie Adamshick (Milton, NY) improved to 8-2 with a complete game one-hitter. Adamshick, who gave up a two-out single in fourth to New Paltz freshman Liz McPartlan (Harborfields, NY) struck out nine for the Red Dragons.