NEW PALTZ, NY — The SUNY New Paltz softball team recorded a doubleheader sweep of conference rival SUNY IT this afternoon. The Hawks, now 16-10 overall and 6-6 in SUNYAC play, have registered their highest win total since posting 17 victories during the 1996 season.
In game one, freshman Michelle Reinke (St. James, NY) scattered three hits in a 6-1 win over the Wildcats. After Reinke gave up a run in the first, the Hawks answered with three in the home half of the inning. Junior Liz McPartlan (Huntington Station, NY) had a run scoring single to tie the game and SUNY New Paltz grabbed the lead on a throwing error by senior first baseman Gina Leuthauser (Utica, NY) that allowed McPartlan to score. Freshman catcher Lauren Motzkin (Woodstock, NY) earned an RBI on ground out to put SUNY New Paltz in front 3-1.
After the Hawks added a run in the second, SUNY New Paltz extended its lead to 6-1 in the bottom of the third on RBI double by Jen Born (Walworth, NY) and an RBI single off the bat of freshman left fielder Joelle VonBischoffshausen (North Brunswick, NJ).
In game two, SUNY New Paltz used a 14-hit attack to cruise to an 18-5 victory. The Hawks scored six times in the first and added three more in the second to lead 9-2 after two innings. McPartlan went 2-for-4 with a run batted in and scored three runs.
Motzkin collected two hits and scored three times. Sophomore right fielder Amy OýBrien (LaGrangeville, NY) was 2-for-3 and drove in two. Born added a 2-for-3 performance and two runs batted in while senior catcher Danielle Zakrzewski (Flushing, NY) went 1-for-3 with two runs batted in.
Freshman Kelly OýHea (Huntington Station, NY) earned the win. She allowed seven hits, walked three and struck out three.
SUNY IT (1-20, 1-11) received a 3-for-3 effort from junior catcher Ambur Hurlbut (Arkport, NY). Senior pitcher Laura Murphy (Hornell, NY) was 1-for-3 with two runs batted in.
