NEW PALTZ, NY — The SUNY New Paltz softball team earned its second straight doubleheader split against a conference rival this season with a 1-1 effort against Fredonia. The Blue Devils won a 3-2 extra-inning affair in the opener before the Hawks came back to win game two 6-2.
In the opener, the Hawks pushed home a run in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings. Trailing 2-1, senior center fielder Jen Born (Walworth, NY) led the inning with a triple. With one out, sophomore right fielder Amy OýBrien (LaGrangeville, NY) hit a grounder to freshman first baseman Eileen Ferrari (Webster, NY). Ferrari threw to the plate and where Born was caught in a rundown and eventually tagged out. Born however stayed in the rundown long enough to allow OýBrien to advanced to third. With two out in the inning, OýBrien then scored on a passed ball to even the score and force extra innings.
Fredonia (4-7, 1-1) moved ahead 3-2 in the top of the ninth on an RBI single by junior second baseman Ashley Sullivan (Derby, NY). Sophomore Casey Mazurek (Dunkirk, NY) then worked a scoreless ninth to pick up the victory. Mazurek went the distance and gave up seven hits and struck out nine.
Freshman Michelle Reinke (St. James, NY) was the losing pitcher for SUNY New Paltz. She also pitched a complete game and gave up seven hits with four walks and seven strikeouts.
SUNY New Paltz (7-5, 2-2) struck early in the second game scoring three in the second and three in the third to build a comfortable 6-0 lead after three innings. Freshman shortstop Amalia Ditrapani (Staten Island, NY) had an RBI single in the second and went 2-for-3 with a run batted in. Freshman designated hitter Emily Nyman (Islip, NY) added a run scoring single in the third as part of a 3-for-4 performance at the plate. Nyman was 4-for-7 in the doubleheader.
Freshman Kelly OýHea (Huntington Station, NY) worked all seven innings to earn the win. She allowed nine hits, and did not walk or strike out a batter.
Fredonia had RBI singles from junior catcher Nikki Prentice (Frewsburg, NY) and junior outfielder Ashley Livermore (Randolph, NY). Junior Ashley Sullivan (Derby, NY) started for Fredonia and took the loss. She surrendered eight hits and six runs in four innings.
