Hawks Drop Two to Geneseo in SUNYAC Opener

GENESEO, NY — The Hawks opened up thier 2006 State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) schedule at Geneseo, this afternoon. SUNY New Paltz battled thier conference foe through two close contests. The Blue Knights defeated the Hawks 4-2 in game one and 4-3 in game two.

SUNY New Paltz (4-8, 0-2) fell behind early, as Genseo (7-5, 2-0) scored three runs in the bottom of the second. The Hawks put a run on the board in the top of the fourth on a two-out single from sophomore outfielder Joelle Von Bischoffshausen (North Brunswick, NJ). The Blue Knights, however, pushed thier lead back to three with a run in the sixth. Senior first baseman Liz McPartlan (Huntington Station, NY) knocked in sophomore outfielder Lauren Motzkin (Woodstock, NY) on a fielder’s choice in the seventh to cut Geneseo’s lead to two, but it was not enough to overtake the Blue Knights.

Motzkin and Von Bischoffshausen combined for the Hawks’ four hits in the contest, totaling two apiece. Sophomore pitcher Michelle Reinke (St. James, NY) fell to 4-3 on the year, allowing five hits, four runs, two earned, while walking two and striking out five in six innings of work.

Down 4-1 in the bottom of the seventh, in game two, the Hawks rallied behind the play of Von Bischoffshausen and freshman outfielder Gina Morano (Shirley, NY). Von Bischoffshausen plated senior third baseman Danielle Porcelli (Huntington Station, NY) on a sacrifice fly and Morano brought home senior second baseman Lisa Wong (Colts Neck, NJ) on a fielder’s choice, but with only an out remaining, the Hawks came up short, 4-3.

Motzkin, Porcelli, Morano and junior outfielder Amy O’Brien (LaGrangeville, NY) each had a hit for SUNY New Paltz. Wong recorded the a RBI in the second inning to put the Hawks on the scoreboard. Sophomore pitcher Kelly O’Hea (Huntington Station, NY) threw all seven innings, allowing eight hits, four runs, while strinking out four in the loss.

The SUNY New Paltz softball team will take on Brockport in a 1:00 pm SUNYAC doubleheader tomorrow, Saturday, April 1.