NEW PALTZ, NY — The SUNY New Paltz softball team split a doubleheader in its conference opener this afternoon at home against Geneseo. The Hawks dropped the first game 4-0 but came back to win the second game 2-0.
SUNY New Paltz freshman Michelle Reinke (St. James, NY) and Geneseo sophomore Amy Kuhn (Ballston Lake, NY) each pitched shutout ball through the first three innings of game one before Geneseo broke through with a run in the fourth on an RBI double by sophomore Christina Marinucci (N. Tonawanda, NY). Kuhn then came through at the plate with a run scoring double in the fifth to extend the Geneseo lead to 2-0. The Blue Knights added two more runs for Kuhn in the top of the sixth to build a four-run lead. Kuhn struck out nine and allowed just one hit in a seven inning complete game. Freshman Emily Nyman (Islip, NY) had a two-out double in the bottom of the fourth for the Hawks lone hit. Reinke went the distance as well and allowed nine hits, three walks and three strikeouts.
In game two, freshman Kelly O’Hea (Huntington Station, NY) fired a three-hit shutout to give the Hawks a 2-0 win. SUNY New Paltz (5-3, 1-1) scored single runs in the second and third to give O’Hea all the run support she would need. O’Hea did not walk a batter and retired the first eight hitters she faced while on her way to her second shutout of the year.
Senior Jessica Schropfer (Glen Oaks, NY) ripped an RBI double in the second to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. Nyman then added an RBI single in the third that scored freshman Joelle Von Bischoffshausen (North Brunswick, NJ) to put the Hawks in front 2-0. Schropfer and Von Bischoffshausen each collected two hits for SUNY New Paltz.
Sophomore Amanda Johanning (Loudenville, NY) took the loss for Geneseo (5-6, 1-1). She allowed six hits, two runs, walked two and struck out three in a complete game effort.
